


KB 










Book. // ^j l 



Copyright^? 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



Graded 
Apparatus Work 

for Men 



By EMIL RATH 
Director of the Normal College, N. A. G. U. 



LOWER GRADE 



Indianapolis, Ind. 

Normal College of the North American 
Gymnastic Union 

1916 






Copyrighted, 1916 

by 

Emil Rath 



P 



r* 



4>JU4187H 

FEB -5 1916 

7^o s/ 



Introduction, 

This pamphlet is intended as a guide for appa- 
ratus work for older boys and young men who have 
not had any previous training in this work. Al- 
though the material contained herein may be used 
for class-work purposes which indeed is a useful 
way of reviewing, at certain intervals, the com- 
pleted lessons, it was intended by the author to be 
used for squad work, where a leader has charge of 
a squad or section of the class. Because of this the 
exercises are limited to the most popular apparatus, 
the horizontal bar, side horse, side and long parallel 
bar, buck, long horse, and rings. 

With reference to "procedure" the leader of a 
squaa should bear the following points in mind : 

1. New exercises are printed in italics. Being 
new to the men they require more attention than the 
others. 

2. Exercises marked "Aim" should be thoroughly 
mastered. They prepare the way for the more diffi- 
cult ones. 

3. If an exercise po^ible of a left and right exe- 
cution is described only to one side, it should also 
be practiced to the other. 

4. Learning the ability of the members of the 



squad enables you to better adapt the exercises to 
them. Some easy preparatory exercises may per- 
haps be omitted. More than one lesson may, at 
times be taken through. 

5. After the work has advanced some, the pupils 
should be encouraged to make up simple combina- 
tions of their own of two or three parts based on 
exercises completed. 

The topic, at the beginning of each lesson, as well 
as the suggestions referring to the development of 
exercises, variations, progression and combinations, 
will be of help to Normal School students. 

E. R. 

Indianapolis, Ind., January, 1916. 



NOMENCLATURE. 

The Gymnast and the Apparatus. 

In order to definitely define the relation of the 
gymnast to the apparatus regardless of what posi- 
tion he may assume, it is necessary to employ a 
series of terms whose meaning will illustrate what 
surface of the individual is turned toward the ap- 
paratus and what relation the gymnast's breadth 
axis bears to the length axis of the apparatus. 

The individual is possessed of a front, a rear, and 
a left and right surface. To determine the relation- 
ship between an apparatus and these surfaces the 
suffix "ways" has been employed and the terms 
frontways (vorlings), rearways (riicklings), and 
sideways (seitlings), have been coined. 

• In a position frontways (vorlings Verhalten) the 
front of the individual is facing the apparatus, 
in a position rearways (riicklings Verhalten) the 
rear, and in a position sideways (seitlings Verhalt- 
en) left (right) the left (right) side of the gym- 
nast faces the apparatus. In these positions the 
individual, and not the apparatus, is the decisive 
factor in selecting the expression which shall clear- 
ly illustrate his relation to the apparatus. A po- 
sition is, therefore, sideways left (seitlings links) 
if the apparatus is at the left side of the indi- 
vidual. 

The gymnast is, furthermore, possessed oif a 
breadth (Breiten-), length (Langen-), and depth 
(Tiefenaxe) axis, which are of significance in gym- 
nastic terminology. 



6 THE GYMNAST AND THE APPARATUS 

The breadth (also termed lateral) axis is an im- 
aginary line drawn from side to side, and is the 
only axis essential in describing positions ; the 
length (also termed vertical) axis passes from the 
sole to the head, and the depth (also termed an- 
teroposterior ) axis from the anterior to the pos- 
terior surface. Turns may be executed about the 
three axes. Likewise, we may consider a length 
and breadth axis of the apparatus, but in the prac- 
tical application have only the need of the length 
axis. This consists of an imaginary line running 
longitudinally through the apparatus. 

Considering the geometric relation of the 
breadth axis of the gymnast to the length axis of 
the apparatus gives rise to positions in which these 
lines are at right angles, parallel or oblique to each 
other. They are denned as cross (Quer-), side 
(Seit-), and oblique (Schragverhalten) positions. 
In the cross position these axes are at right angles, 
.in the side position they are parallel (or the gym- 
nast's breadth axis may be the produced line of 
the length axis of the apparatus), and in the oblique 
positions they are oblique to each other. 

From these considerations the following posi- 
tions are obtained regardless of whether they are 
stands, seats, supports, hangs, etc. The stand has 
been selected to illustrate them. 

A side or cross stand frontways (Quer- oder 
Seitverhalten vorlings). 

A side or cross stand rearways (Quer- oder 
Seitverhalten rucklings). 

A side or cross stand sideways (Quer- oder 
Seitverhalten seitlings). 



DIRECTIONS / 

The oblique position is seldom used, occurring, 
however, occasionally as a seat. 

The following classification will be of some as- 
sistance in understanding the nomenclature: 

Apparatus may be classified as portable and sta- 
tionary, possessing a fixed or movable, divided or 
undivided surface, which, furthermore, may be 
horizontal, oblique, or vertical. 

It is, furthermore, necessary to . understand the 
terms used for the different parts of the apparatus ; 
as, left and right pommel, neck (left end) and 
croup (right end) of the horse when in a side 
stand frontways ; near and far pommel when in a 
cross stand frontways ; left and right bar of the 
parallel bar when in a cross stand frontways ; near 
and far bar when in a side stand frontways and 
front and rear bar when in an inner side stand. 
The same terms occur on the ladder excepting that 
the term beam is used in place of bar. 

Directions. 

Parts of the body moved by the gymnast while 
on the apparatus, base their directions of movement 
upon the surfaces of the gymnast and the same 
rules may be applied here as in the free exercises. 
Forward (vorwarts) is a direction indicated by the 
front, backward (riickwarts) by the rear or back, 
and sideward (seitwarts) by the side of the indi- 
vidual. Upward (auf warts) is the direction above 
the head, which, in doubtful cases, could readily 
give way to headward. Downward (abwarts) is 
the direction toward and below the feet, which can, 
when necessary, be replaced by footward. For the 



8 DIRECTIONS 

intermediate oblique positions refer to the termin- 
ology of free exercises. 

In exercises where the whole body is moved 
as a unit the directions are the same as for parts 
of the body, excepting the upward and downward 
direction. These are then no longer toward the 
head and the feet respectively, but toward the ceil- 
ing and the floor. On some apparatus the terms 
ascend and descend clearly define direction regard- 
less of the position of the body. Thus a gymnast 
moving toward the floor on the upper side of the 
oblique ladder in the inverted support lying posi- 
tion, where his head is toward the bottom and his 
feet on the beams toward the top, is said to be 
moving downward (to descend), although he is 
moving in a direction toward his head, or to ascend, 
when he is moving in a direction toward his feet. 
Similarly, a person is climbing upward on poles or 
ropes if he is moving toward the ceiling, regard- 
less of whether he is in the ordinary, or in an in- 
verted climbing position; i. e., moving head first 
or feet first. 

In defining directions of turns about the three 
axes of the gymnast his surfaces are the determin- 
ing factors. The turns about the length axis are 
similar to those of the free exercises, are defined 
the same (left or right), and may be of the same 
degrees (one-fourth, one-half, etc.). It is essen- 
tial, however, to state the arm about which a turn 
is to be executed when in the hang or the sup- 
port; e. g., one-half turn left, about the right arm 
(halbe Drehung links um den rechten Arm). This 
is not necessary if both hands give up their grips 



DIRECTIONS 9 

simultaneously. Turns about the depth axis are 
designated as such with the directions right and 
left, indicating the side of the body toward which 
the turn is to begin, the head moving first. Thus 
a one-fourth turn right about the depth axis (vier- 
tel Drehung r edits um die Tiefenaxe) would be a 
movement clockwise, when facing the clock, to the 
degree signified. In turns about the breadth axis 
the movement of the front or rear of the head de- 
termines the direction. Thus in a turn-over or 
hip circle forward (Ueberdrehen- oder Felge vor- 
warts) the head moves in a forward, and the feet 
move in a backward direction, and in a turn-over 
or hip swingup backward (Ueberdrehen oder Felg- 
aufschwung riickwarts) the movement is re- 
versed. These turns about breadth and depth axes 
are simply explained by using the rolling direction 
of a wheel to indicate them. The turn that it makes 
about its axis in rolling from the gymnast in the 
direction in which he is facing, is a forward turn, 
in the opposite direction a backward turn, and to 
his left or right side is a left or right turn re- 
spectively. 

When the entire body or parts of it move in a 
circle in a horizontal plane the direction can be de- 
termined by the movements of the hands of a 
clock. If the movement is clockwise (assuming the 
clock to be lying horizontally in front of the gym- 
nast) it is a circle right. Counter clockwise is 
termed left. These conditions occur in hanglying 
circling and in double leg circling in the hang. The 
terms for single leg circling in the support (e. g. on 



10 FORMS OF GRIPS 

the side horse) are simplified by naming the hands 
under which the leg swings successively. 

Forms of Grips. 

Upper or over grip. (RistgrifL AufgrifL) The 
surface of the apparatus is grasped from above. 
The thumbs are below the grasped surface and di- 
rected toward each other. In grasping beams the 
thumb should be placed next to the forefinger 
(beams of the ladders, booms) . 

Under grip. (Kammgriff. Untergriff.) The 
apparatus is grasped with hands in supination, 
shoulder width apart, and little fingers toward each 
other. 

Outer grip. ( Speichgriff . Aussengriff . ) The 
divided surface of the apparatus is grasped from 
its outer side with the palms turned toward each 
other. On the undivided surface, the thumb of one 
hand and small finger of the other are toward each 
other. 

Inner grip. (EllengrifL Innengriff.) The di- 
vided surface of the apparatus is grasped from 
the inner side with the hands hyperpronated and 
the palms directed outward. 

Reverse under grip. (Zwangellengriff.) The 
undivided surface of the apparatus is grasped from 
the far side and from above with the. hands hyper- 
pronated, so that the fingers will be on top with 
the little fingers toward each other, and the palms 
directed backward. 

Mixed grip. (ZwiegrifL) A combination in 
which the hands grasp with two different grips. 
It generally consists of upper and lower grip, but 
may consist of any other two. 



POSITIONS ON APPARATUS. 11 

Open grip. Any grip in which the hands are 
shoulder width apart. 

Span grip. ( SpanngrifT. ) Any grip in which 
the arms are further than shoulder width apart. 
Examples : span upper grip ; span outer grip. 

Closed grip. (Schlussgriff.) It consists of any 
grip in which the hands are close together. 

Grasping. When the hand moves on the ap- 
paratus and regrips it the term "grasp" is used; 
e. g., grasp forward, backward, etc. If the grip 
is changed with the grasping, it must be indicated; 
as grasp forward with upper grip. According to 
the order in which the hands move there may be 
used a "followgrasp" one hand following the 
other, "overgrasp," one hand grasping above the 
other, and "simultaneous grasp/' when both hands 
move together as in climbing. 

Positions on Apparatus. 

I. STANDS ON THE APPARATUS. 

The straight stand. (Streckstand.) ("Stand" 
for short.) The same as the fundamental position 
of Free Exercises. Faults : Drooping head and 
shoulders, flat chest. 

Straddle stand. (Gratschstand.) As in Free 
Exercises. 

Squat stand. (Hockstand.) As in Free Exer- 
cises. The hands are either inside or outside of 
knees. When assumed on some apparatus the 
knees are together. 

Knee stand. (Kniestand.) The body weight 
rests on the knees and toes or on the shins. 



12 POSITIONS ON APPARATUS 

II. SEATS ON APPARATUS. 

The side-seat. (Seitsitz.) The body rests upon 
the thighs which form the point of support. The 
breadth axis of the body is parallel to the length 
axis of the apparatus. The hips are slightly flexed. 
The head, shoulders, and trunk assume the same 
firmness of posture as in the fundamental posi- 
tion. The hands grasp the apparatus to maintain 
the balance. The legs are straight and together, 
with the ankles extended. Possible on all appara- 
tus. On the parallel bars it may occur as inner or 
outer seat depending on the position of the body on 
the apparatus. Faults : Knees bent, flat chest. 

The oblique seat. (Schragsitz.) This seat re- 
sembles the side-seat, except that the breadth axis 
of the body holds an oblique relation to the length 
axis of the apparatus, and the hips are more flexed, 
particularly when assumed in rear of the hands. On 
the parallel bars it may occur as an inner or outer 
oblique seat in front and in rear of the hands. 
Faults as in side seat. 

The closed cross-seat. (Schluss-Quersitz.) The 
breadth axis of the body is at right angles to the 
length axis of the apparatus. The hips are bent 
to a right angle and the closed and straight legs 
are on the apparatus. It is used on the buck and 
horse in the development of certain vaults, on the 
stallbar with benches, and on the gymnasium lad- 
der. 

The cross-seats on one thigh. (Quersitz.) The 
thigh rests on the apparatus with the knee bent 
to a right angle, the lower leg being parallel to 
the firmly extended other leg. It may be taken in 



SEATS 1 3 

front or in rear of the hands, and on the parallel 
bars as an inner or outer cross-seat. The entire 
body maintains the correct gymnastic position. It 
is inclined forward, and slightly arched. These 
seats are designated as "a cross-seat on thigh in 
front (or rear) of the hand," and on the parallel 
bars as "an inner (or outer) cross-seat in front 
(or rear) of the hand." On the parallel bars the 
inner cross-seat may, furthermore, occur on the 
left (or right) thigh in front or rear of the right 
(left) hand. Faults: Flat chest, drooping head, 
bending the pendant leg. 

The straddle cross-seat. (Gratschsitz.) Termed 
straddle seat for short. The breadth axis of the 
body is perpendicular to the length axis of the 
apparatus, and the legs straddle the apparatus. It 
is usually assumed upon the parallel bars and at 
times upon the ladder, both in front and in rear 
of the hands. The hips and legs are extended so 
that the body forms a straight line from foot to 
head. Faults : Drooping head, chest sinking be- 
tween shoulders, knees bent. 

The straddle side-seat. (Gratschseitsitz.) The 
extended legs straddle the apparatus (parallel bars) 
with one leg forward and the other backward. The 
body rests anteriorly upon one and posteriorly upon 
the other thigh. The hands usually grasp the front 
or the front and rear bar. The forward leg must 
be indicated. 

The stride cross-seat or riding seat. (Reitsitz.) 
This seat resembles the straddle cross-seat in every 
respect, but is termed a riding seat when it occurs 
upon an apparatus with an undivided horizontal 



14 POSITIONS ON APPARATUS 

surface as the buck, horse, or upon one bar. It 
may also occur as a stride (or riding) side-seat 
(Reitseitsitz) in which case it also appears like 
the straddle side-seat with the same difference. 
Faults : Same as in straddle seat. 

III. HANGS AND DERIVED HANGS ON THE APPARATUS. 

The short or active liang. ( Streckhang. ) The 
body is suspended by the hands, with chest raised, 
arms extended and in line with the trunk; legs 
straight and slightly directed backwards. Termed 
"hang" for short. Faults : Letting body sink to 
passive hang. 

The long or passive hang. The body sinks be- 
tween the shoulders. No effort is made to raise 
the chest and pull up the body. There is not the 
muscular effort present as in the active hang. 

Bent arm hang. (Beugehang.) Bent-hang for 
short. Same as the active hang excepting that the 
arms are bent with the elbows preferably at the 
side of the body (sometimes they are in front of 
the body). Faults. Sinking of chest, dropping 
head, knees bent, feet apart. 

Elbow hang. (Unterarmhang.) The body is 
suspended by the elbows. Same faults as in bent- 
hang. 

Upper-arm hang. (Oberarmhang.) ' The body is 
suspended by the upper arms. On the undivided 
horizontal surface the hands meet in front of the 
chest; on the divided surfaces the arms are slight- 
ly bent and directed forward. 

Squat-hang. (Single or double.) As the active 
hang with the knees raised toward the chest. 



HANGS 15 

Balance hang. (Single or double.) As the ac- 
tive hang with the legs raised forward. 

Free knee-hang. (Freier Kniehang.) The body 
is suspended by one or both knees. 

Knee hand-hang. (Kniehandhang.) Termed 
knee-hang for short. The body may be suspended 
by both hands and both knees, both knees and one 
hand, or both hands and one knee, one hand and 
one knee. In the last two cases, the other leg is 
straight, the body horizontal, the chest raised, and 
the head in line with the trunk. These positions 
may be taken on undivided and divided surfaces. 
On the latter they may be taken as an outer or 
inner knee-hang on left, right, or both knees, and 
on the same or opposite bar. 

Foot hand-hang, or nest-hang. (Nesthang. 
Schwimmhang. ) In the nest-hang the body is sus- 
pended from hands and toes with the back directed 
toward the apparatus (foot hand-hang rearways). 
The body is extremely arched in this position. 
When it is assumed on a divided surface it has an 
appearance which has given rise to the term ham- 
mock hang (Schwimmhang). Faults: Head thrust 
forward ; in hammock hang over extension of lum- 
bar spine. 

Inverted hang. (Sturzhang.) The body is sus- 
pended vertically by the hands, head downward. 
On an undivided surface it is assumed frontways 
and rearways. Faults : Head not in line with 
trunk, knees and hips bent. 

Inverted balance hang. (Abhang.) Same as the 
preceding with the body bent at the hips. Faults: 
Knees bent, head thrust forward. 



16 POSITIONS ON APPARATUS 

Inverted squat-hang. (Sturzhang mit Anhok- 
ken.) Same as preceding with an additional flexion 
of the knees. 

Hang-lying. (Liegehang.) The body is slight- 
ly supported by the feet which generally rest on the 
floor ; the greater part of the body weight being sus- 
pended from the hands. The arms are straight, the 
chest raised and the head, trunk and leg in a 
straight line. Faults : Bent hips and knees, sinking 
of chest between shoulders. 

IV. SUPPORTS AND DERIVED SUPPORTS ON APPARATUS. 

Straight arm> support. (Streckstiitz.) "Support" 
for short. The arms are straight with the chest 
well raised and the head held high, counteracting 
the downward pull of the body. The legs are ex- 
tended and together. When contact with an ap- 
paratus is possible the body is more inclined than 
in the free support. Faults : Head and chest sink 
between shoulders, arms bent. 

The momentary support. (Fliichtiger Stiitz.) 
The body momentarily assumes the support return- 
ing immediately to the stand. It is usually free, the 
body not touching the apparatus. Same faults as 
in support. 

Bent arm support. ^(Beugestutz.) .Same as the 
preceding, but the elbows are bent as far as pos- 
sible. 

Forearm support. (Unterarmstiitz.) Same as 
the support, but the forearm lies on top of the ap- 
paratus furnishing the support instead of the 
hands. 

Support lying. (Liegestiitz.) The toes, with 



MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 17 

feet closed, rest on the floor or on the apparatus, 
the arms are straight with the hands shoulder width 
apart, on the apparatus. The body, from the head 
to the feet, forms one straight line, with the greater 
part of the body weight supported by the hands and 
the lesser part by the feet. On the parallel bar the 
inner edge of the foot is placed on the bar in the 
position frontways and the outer edge in rearways. 
Faults : Bent knees, hanging abdomen, sunken chest, 
tilted head. 

Mounts, Dismounts and Vaults. 

Mounts are interrupted vaults which terminate 
in a position on the apparatus. Dismounts con- 
sist of vaults beginning from a position on the 
apparatus and ending in some stand on the floor. 
Under vaults proper such activities are generally 
considered which by a vigorous jump, aided by the 
support of the hands upon the apparatus, carry 
the body over it. 

The directions of vaults, as well as mounts and 
dismounts, are determined by the side of the body 
which leads in the movement. They may begin 
from a stand or a running start. 

The take-off for a mount or vault may be either 
a single take-off, i. e., from one foot, or a double 
take-off, i. e., from both feet. Example: From a 
running start with a double take-off and support 
on pommels, flank vault, etc. All dismounts and 
vaults lead to a squat-stand with arms at side of 
body or in the side position depending upon the 
vault. If one hand re-grasps the apparatus, as is 
frequently the case, the other arm assumes 
one of these positions. From the squat-stand the 



18 MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 

knees are straightened to a toe-stand, and the hand, 
if grasping the apparatus, is lowered. If the other 
arm (or both) is in the side-position, it is like- 
wise lowered. The heels are then lowered to po- 
sition. 

The knee mount. From a double take-off jump 
and place both knees on the apparatus (horse or 
buck) so that the body rests on the shins. The 
hips and knees are thoroughly flexed. The hands 
retain their grip. In the single knee mount only 
one knee is placed on the apparatus. The extended 
pendant leg is directed downward and slightly back- 
ward. 

The knee jump. From the knee stand the hips 
and knees are thoroughly bent so that the body in- 
clines slightly forward and the arms are swung 
backward in preparation for the jump. This is im- 
mediately followed by forceful and sudden hip and 
knee straightening and arm swinging fore-upward 
which lifts the body off the apparatus. The pupil 
alights in a squat-stand on the floor or on the ap- 
paratus. 

The squat vault over the side-horse. (Hocke.) 
From a double take-off and support on pommels, 
the knees are raised forward and upward. After 
passing over the apparatus the body may (a) drop 
to the squat-stand with arms in the side posi- 
tion from the position of flight, or (b) a vigorous 
extension of knee and hip joint may occur so that 
the body will be perfectly straight in the position 
of flight after it clears the apparatus and before 
it alights in the squat-stand, (c) It may further be 
executed by retaining the grip on the pommels long 



MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 19 

enough to extend the legs forward and then alight. 
The last form is generally used by the girls and 
women. Faults : Grasping on near side of pom- 
mels instead of center of pommels, a common fault 
in all vaults. 

The squat vault mount, (a) To squatstand, (b) 
to stride support or seat. (Vor-oder Riickhok- 
ken in den Stutz oder Sitz.) They resemble the 
vault but end in a position upon the apparatus, 
(b) may also be executed left or right, forward 
and backward, and (a) left, right or double. Faults : 
As in the vault. 

The squat-straddle vault over the side-horse. 
Termed wolf vault. (Wolfssprung; Hockgrat- 
sche.) This vault consists of a squatting move- 
ment with one leg, and a straddling movement with 
the other. It is named according to the leg which 
straddles. In other respects it resembles the vaults 
from which it is derived. In execution left the left 
hand releases its grip first, i. e., as the body clears 
the apparatus; the legs are then extended and 
closed, the right hand through a thrust against the 
pommel assists in righting the body. Faults : 
Straddling leg bent. Support not on opposite arm, 
grip of the hand toward the straddling leg re- 
tained too long. 

The front-vault left, over the side-horse. 
(Wende.) With support on the pommels, or one 
pommel and the neck (left end), the firm, slightly 
arched body rises, from a double take-off to the 
left with a quarter turn right about its length axis 
and about to the horizontal (for a high front-vault 
to the oblique or vertical position) above the ap- 



20 MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 

paratus. The anterior surface is toward it. The 
legs are together, with the ankles thoroughly ex- 
tended. The chest is well raised. The left hand 
then releases its grip, is swung sideward, and the 
gymnast alights in the squat-stand as in the rear- 
vault to the left. Also performed over the long 
horse (oblique run) and parallel bar. Faults : Hips 
and knees bent, feet apart, support not on oppo- 
site arm, take-off to one side, alighting behind the 
hand retaining the grip instead of beside it, grip 
not in center of pommel. 

Front vault mount. It is executed as the front 
vault, but when directly over the apparatus the 
body is lowered to some indicated position as in 
the rear-vault. It is termed "front vault left into 
the straddle seat, riding seat," etc. Faults : Front 
surface of body not turned toward horse. Legs 
apart, knees bent. 

Front vault dismount. From some position on 
the apparatus the body is swung into a position 
above the apparatus resembling that obtained by 
the front vault to a stand, and then lowered in 
the direction indicated into the squat-stand. 
Faults : Lack of swing. 

Flank-vault (Flanke) left over the side-horse. 
With the support on the pommels or one pommel 
and the neck (left end) the extended body rises 
from a double take-off to the left and about to the 
horizontal over the horse. The left arm is vigor- 
ously swung sideward as the body approaches the 
horizontal to assist it in the flight. As it clears the 
apparatus the right hand releases its grip with a 
thrust against the pommel, thereby assisting in 



MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 21 

re-establishing the vertical position of the body. 
The right arm is then swung sideward. The gym- 
nast should alight in the squat-stand with arms in 
the side- position directly behind the apparatus and 
within a space marked by the support of the two 
hands. Faults : Hips and knees bent, take-off to 
one side. Support not over opposite arm, feet 
apart. 

Flank vault mount. The flank vault instead of 
continuing over the apparatus leads to some ap- 
propriate position upon the apparatus as in the 
other mounts. Faults : As in the vault. 

Flank vault dismount. (Flanke in den Stand.) 
It occurs from some position on the apparatus 
from which the body may be swung through the 
flank vault position and into the squat-stand. 

Rear vault left over side-horse. With support 
on the pommels the body rises to the right with a 
quarter turn right. The hips are thoroughly flexed, 
so that the closed and extended legs and ankles 
point obliquely fore-upward. The right hand re- 
leases its grip momentarily, while the body clears 
the apparatus with the back turned toward it (the 
left side leading), and then re-grasps the right 
pommel. The left arm is swung sideward as the 
right hand re-grasps. After the apparatus has been 
cleared the hips are vigorously straightened. 
Throughout the entire vault the chest is active and 
the head held erect. The gymnast should alight in 
the squat-stand, with the left arm in the side posi- 
tion, about an arm's length distant from the ap- 
paratus and in line with the right pommel which 
he has grasped. It is also performed over the long 



22 MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 

horse and parallel bar. Faults: Knees bent, feet 
apart, turn not executed quickly enough, incorrect 
transfer from hand to hand. 

Rear-vault mount. If the body is lowered to 
some designated position upon the apparatus when 
directly above it instead of clearing it, it becomes 
a mount. 

Rear-vault dismount to the left. It consists !of 
swinging the body from some position upon the Ap- 
paratus into the position of flight occurring during 
the clearing of the apparatus in the rear-vault left. 
A preparatory vigorous backward swing of the 
legs precedes dismounts from most seats. 

The straddle vault over buck. (Die Gratsche.) 
From a cross stand before the apparatus or lead- 
ing to a running start with a double take-off and 
a support with both hands on the far end of the 
buck the body rises above the apparatus with ex- 
tended legs straddled as wide as possible and hips 
slightly bent. With a forcible thrust against the 
buck the body is carried over it, the hips straight- 
ened, arms swung sideward and the legs closed as 
the gymnast alights in the squat-stand. Faults: 
Support on near end, weak thrust against the buck. 

The straddle vault mount and dismount 
(Gratsch-auf- und absitzen) are obtained in the 
same manner as the previous moiunts and dis- 
mounts. 

The leg-swing vault right over buck. (Die 
Spreize rechts.) This vault resembles the straddle 
vault somewhat. Both legs, however, do not strad- 
dle the apparatus. The extended right leg is 
swung over the apparatus, the hands are momen- 



MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 23 

tarily raised, and at the same time the body is 
carried to the left by the direction of the jump 
and the thrust against the buck. The left leg as 
well as the trunk remain in the vertical position. 
The legs are closed as the body approaches the left 
side of the buck in a cross position sideways right, 
the left arm is in the side position, but the right 
hand is replaced as the gymnast alights in the 
squat-stand. 

The leg-swing mount and dismount ( Spreiz-auf- 
und absitzen) which occur so frequently upon the 
horse and buck, but are also possible on other ap- 
paratus, are derived from the vault. When a leg- 
swing mount into a position occurs under a hand 
this should be stated; likewise whether the leg- 
swing is outward, away from the body, or inward, 
toward the body, and forward or backward. Some- 
times it is also necessary to name the part of the 
apparatus upon which the position is to be as- 
sumed. When a turn is added to the leg-swing 
mount or dismount it is termed a turn-mount or 
turn-dismount ( Schrauben-auf - und absitzen). The 
direction forward or backward, the degree of the 
turn, and the terminating position must be indi- 
cated. Faults : Knee bent, support not over oppo- 
site arms. 

Sheep-vault over the side-horse. (Schaf sprung.) 
From a double take-off with support on the pom- 
mels the body is powerfully propelled over the 
apparatus. The support is momentary, and the 
body is fully extended with the exception of the 
knees which are flexed so as to raise the feet back- 
ward and upward. The arms are swung sideward, 



24 MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 

and the head and chest well raised during flight 
after clearing the horse and later in the squat-stand. 

The stride-vault (Thief vault) over the side- 
horse. (Diebsprung.) The vault begins with a 
running start from a side-stand frontways and re- 
quires a single take-off either left or right. As the 
body leaves the floor from the take-off, which is 
about three feet distant from the horse, the pendant 
leg is forcibly swung over the horse and between 
the pommels. The take-off leg is bent, brought to 
the other leg as it begins to pass over the apparatus, 
and extended. As the body is carried over the 
horse the hands momentarily grasp the pommels, 
the legs are in the forward position, and the trunk 
slightly inclined backward. A push against the 
pommels adds to the momentum of the jump and 
brings the body into the squat-stand rearways with 
the arms in the side position. It is only executed 
on the side-horse. Assistance. The stride-vault 
mount leads to seats or to the support rearways 
on the horse. It can not be used as a dismount. 
Faults : Grasping pommels before leg is swung 
through, the one leg curled under, incorrect judg- 
ment of take-off. 

Long vault over side-horse on assistant's shoul- 
ders. With a running start and a vigorous double 
take-off, the pupil leaps ove£ the horse, with a thor- 
oughly extended body. The hands do not touch 
the horse, but immediately take support on assist- 
ant's shoulders, who, standing close enough to the 
horse to enable the pupil to reach his shoulders 
with a jump, takes a step backward and lowers 
the pupil to a stand. 



MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 25 

The long vault mount on the long horse without 
pommels is performed with a running start and a 
double take-off, support on neck. It generally leads 
into support lying position or a riding cross seat. 

Fencers' vaults. Fencers' vaults are character- 
ized by approaching the apparatus obliquely, by tak- 
ing off from one foot, and by supporting on one 
arm only. These vaults (front, rear and flank) 
will be described as occurring over the long horse. 
They may be executed from a stand and a single 
take-off, one foot being placed backward, and from 
three to five or an indefinite number of steps, start. 
The starting position is from an oblique stand 
either close to the horse or on a line forming an 
acute angle with the long horse. 

Fencers' rear vault left over the long horse. With 
a take-off from the right foot on the right side of 
the horse and support on the left arm the left leg 
and right arm are forcibly swung obliquely fore- 
upward. As the body rises, the right leg follows, 
bringing the extended legs together and flexing the 
hips, so that the feet will be raised head high. The 
left hand is raised and the right hand takes the 
support as the body clears the apparatus. The hips 
are vigorously extended on descending in the squat- 
stand with the right hand on the horse and the left 
arm sideward. 

Fencers' flank vault, left over the horse. This 
vault is similar to the front vault excepting that 
there is but a quarter turn right executed about the 
length axis so that the right side will be turned to- 
ward the apparatus. The left side leads and the 
legs are extended and together, the take-off foot 



26 • MOUNTS, DISMOUNTS AND VAULTS 

following and closing to the left immediately. A 
vigorous thrust against the horse brings the body- 
again to the vertical so that it may alight in the 
squat-stand rearways with both arms in the side 
position. 

Fencers' front vault left over long horse. With 
a take-off from the right foot on the left side of the 
horse and with support on the right arm the body 
rises to the horizontal, assisted by a vigorous 
swing of the left leg which is immediately joined by 
the right. As the body rises a half turn right about 
the length axis is executed, so that the slightly 
arched body will be over the horse with its front 
surface facing it, and the left side leading. The 
left arm also assists with a vigorous swing upward 
and is lowered to the side position as the gymnast 
alights in the squat-stand. The right hand remains 
on the horse. The legs are together and the toes 
pointed during flight. 

The mounts of the fencers' vaults are similar to 
those of the regular vaults. 

Vaults are easiest executed upon such apparatus 
as are particularly adapted to the activities com- 
posing the vault and progress in difficulty of execu- 
tion by performing them upon other less suitable 
apparatus. There is a further progression obtained 
by raising the apparatus and by adding turns to the 
vaults. Turns may occur after or before clearing 
the apparatus. When occurring before clearing 

the apparatus vaults are best designated as 

vault sideward or backward. 



ACTIVITIES COMMON TO HANG AND SUPPORT 27 

Activities Common to Hang and Support. 

The following activities are performed with 
slight variations in hang and support. 

( 1 ) Arm and hand exercises. 

(a) Hand hopping, jumping, grip chang- 
ing and walking (traveling). 

(b) Arm bending. 

(2) Leg exercises. 

(a) Single and double foot, knee and leg 
raising or swinging. 

(b) Straddling. 

(3) Trunk exercises. 

Turning trunk and raising upper trunk. 

(4) Swinging. 

(a) The short swings (not practical in 
support). 

(b) The long swings. 

(5) Turns about different axes. 

(a) About the length axis. 

(b) About the breadth axis. 

(6) Combined activities. 

Activities Peculiar to Certain Apparatus. 

THE HORSE. 

The fore- and backswing of the leg beside the 
arm. In the fore- and backswing left the leg 
swings over the apparatus and around the left arm 
to a horizontal position, the body at the same time 
turning to the right. The entire body weight is 
supported by the left arm. The right leg is straight 
and pointed downward. The return movement re- 
verses the action. There are two modes of execu- 
tion, depending upon the movement to follow. 



28 ACTIVITIES PECULIAR TO CERTAIN APPARATUS 

(a) The leg swings sideward to the horizontal, 
forward, and downward to the horizontal. 

(b) The leg swings sideward to the horizontal, 
and forward in a horizontal plane to the 
horizontal position beside the arm. 

Leg-swinging (Spreizen.) Leg-swings are desig- 
nated easiest as forward or backward under left 
or right hand, and leg-circling as forward or back- 
ward and then the order of hands. Stating under 
which hand the leg is to be swung or the order of 
the hands under which it is to be circled simplifies 
the terminology considerably and does away with 
the various conflicting terms in use. 

Example : Leg-swing left forward under left 
hand in the support on the side-horse. 

Both legs and hips swing to the left, the upper 
part of the body leaning to the right, the weight 
being carried on the right arm. As both legs ap- 
proach the top of the apparatus the left leg swings 
above it to the horizontal, forward, and across 
it under the left hand which momentarily releases 
its grip to let the leg pass, and then downward 
and to the right; the weight being again borne by 
both arms. The right leg on the rear side of the 
apparatus goes through the same sideward swing- 
ing movements as does the left leg. In all the leg- 
swings on the horse or similar supporting surfaces 
the pendulum swing of the whole body from the 
shoulders should be apparent. Performed in sup- 
ports frontways and rearways. 

In the cross support on the parallel bars the exe- 
cution is quite different. If performed at the end 
of the bars the trunk and inactive leg are held per- 



THE HORSE 29 

fectly still and in the correct support position. 
When done from a swing (body-swing) the leg 
to be swung under the hancl leaves the other at 
the end of the swing, passes under the hand and 
joins the leg again at the other end of the body- 
swing. Forward this may be executed free or with 
gliding along the bar. When performed free it 
consists of a sudden and rapid movement produced 
by vigorous hip flexion. 

Leg-circling (Beinkreisen). Example: Circle 
left leg forward under left and right hand (side- 
horse). 

After the leg-swing forward as described above 
has begun its movement to the right, the body 
weight is transferred to the left arm and the leg- 
swing continued to the right almost to the horizon- 
tal, backward, across the apparatus, during which 
the right hand momentarily releases its grip, and 
then downward to the starting position. With the 
downward swing the body weight is again sup- 
ported upon both arms. During the whole move- 
ment the leg is straight. The action takes place 
mainly in the left hip joint, accompanied by pendu- 
lum swing of the whole body. The figure de- 
scribed by the leg is elliptical rather than circular. 
It is also practiced in a more circular figure as a 
free circle of the leg. The position upon the ap- 
paratus and sometimes the nature of an exercise 
demand the more circular execution. 

What has been termed "flank-circle" may be 
named "a circle of both legs" (Kreisen beider 
Beine). It resembles the circling of one leg and is 
also performed in the two modes described, i. e., 



30 ACTIVITIES PECULIAR TO CERTAIN APPARATUS 

in oval form and in a more circular form. The 
last named is executed without the legs touching 
any part of the apparatus (free circle of both legs). 

Turns about the length axis may be added to leg- 
swings and circling of the legs. 

The scissors backward and forward. (Schere 
riickwarts, vorwarts.) The body swings back- 
ward to the horizontal position from where the ex- 
tended legs cross each other. The body, while 
the legs are crossing executes a quick half turn 
and is then lowered to a riding or straddle seat. 
During the turn the hands are released and im- 
mediately regrasp. 

In the forward scissors the legs swing forward 
above the apparatus to the horizontal and cross. 
A sudden turn with releasing the grip and regrasp- 
ing also takes place. The two scissors are prac- 
ticed from seats and support lying on the horse 
and from seats, support lying and support swing- 
ing on the parallel bar. 

The scissors sideward. (Schere seitwarts.) 
This exercise is usually performed from a side sup- 
port on the horse with one leg in front and the 
other leg in rear. It is generally preceded by a 
pendulum swing of the whole body. Both extend- 
ed legs are swung sideward toward the horizontal 
with as little hip flexion as possible, crossed, and 
then again swung downward. The body weight is 
completely transferred to the supporting arm. The 
hand of the side toward which the legs are swung 
is raised, during which the legs swing sideward, 
cross, and return; it then regrasps. The oppo- 
site leg comes to the front. There are two modes 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 31 

of execution. (Using the stride side support on 
the horse as starting position as an example) : 

(a) The swing is to the side of the leg in rear 
of the horse. This is the usual and easiest 
execution. 

(b) The swing is performed toward the side 
of the leg in front of the supporting sur- 
face (Flank scissors; Flankenschere). 
This is a more difficult form. 

The long horse without pommels is principally 
used for vaulting although most of the above exer- 
cises may also be performed on it. It is particu- 
larly adapted for the long vaults and combinations 
of other vaults with the long vaults, as long-squat, 
long-straddle, long-stoop vault, etc. Distinctly pe- 
culiar to the long horse are the giant straddle and 
squat-vaults. 

THE HORIZONTAL BAR. 

/. Swingups and swingoffs. The swingups 
will be described from the derived hanging posi- 
tion which must of necessity precede them. Thus 
the knee-swingup will be described from the hand- 
knee-hang (knee-hang for short) and not from 
the hang. It should, however, be said that these 
swingups may begin from various positions which 
in turn lead to the derived hanging position essen- 
tial for the particular swingup. They may start as 
follows : 

(a) Dropping into a related derived hanging 
position from the position on the bar into which 
the swingup will again bring you. 

(b) From the still hand-hang (with straight or 



32 ACTIVITIES PECULIAR TO CERTAIN APPARATUS 

bent arms, or preceded by arm bending) the body is 
suddenly turned backward about its breadth axis 
and the hips are bent (and the knees if necessary). 
This is followed by the leg activity essential to 
bring the body into the derived hanging position 
preceding the swingup. In this derived hanging 
position a pendulum swing of the body furnishes 
the necessary force to swing the body up forward 
or backward on the bar. 

(c) From the short swing. The turnover back- 
ward follows the forward swing of the feet. From 
there on it resembles the previous exercise. 

(d) From swinging (long swing). Toward or 
at about the end of the forward swing a sudden 
bending of the hips brings the body into the 
inverted balance hang, feet close to the bar. This 
is followed by the activity of the legs essential to 
attain the derived hanging position preceding the 
swfngup. 

(e) Dropping from support into the inverted 
balance hang and then proceeding as from swing- 
ing. 

For the forward swingups the body should be 
well in front of a plumb line dropped from the bar 
when it is in the inverted hang, as in the position 
preceding the kipp. From here it may get a good 
swing as it combines with the position the leg 
activity leading to the mixed hang. For the back- 
ward swingups it should be in back of the bar but 
in the knee-hang. This may be obtained from the 
end of the backward swing. 

From the various swingoffs the gymnast should 
ak'ght on his toes in the squat-stand with arms in 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 33 

the side position or at the side of the body, and 
from here straighten to the fundamental position. 

The under swing. (Der Unterschwung.) It 
generally begins from the support. The body falls 
backward, simultaneously flexing the hips, so that 
it passes through the inverted balance hang and 
then swings onward alighting in the squat-stand. 
After passing through the inverted balance hang 
it may swing to the stand without or with an arch- 
ing movement of the trunk. In this movement the 
body passes through an arc and is well arched 
instead of swinging to the stand in a straight line 
from the bar to the floor. The arms are swung 
overhead as the hands leave the bar and immedi- 
ately lowered into the side position. It is also per- 
formed from a stand, a hang, or from the back- 
ward swing and leads to either a stand or a hang. 

The underswing is a part of a great many swing- 
offs and although not particularly mentioned, 
should follow all exercises where it is possible ; 
e. g. the knee-, crotch-, seat-, swingofTs. 

The knee-swingup. It is performed forward and 
backward as an inner and outer knee-swingup left, 
right, and on both knees with various grips. When 
performed on one knee it is designated as inner 
(or outer) knee-swingup left forward (or back- 
ward). It may also be executed left beside right 
hand and vice versa. On both knees it may be 
designated as the double knee-swingup (direction) 
when both legs are between the arms, and as a 
straddle knee-swingup when the legs are outside of 
the arms. 

(a) The single knee-swingup. From a knee- 



34 ACTIVITIES PECULIAR TO CERTAIN APPARATUS 

hang (see hangs and derived hangs) the other leg, 
fully extended, is vigorously swung downward and 
backward, thereby raising the body above the bar. 
In the knee-swingup backward the extended leg is 
swung forward and upward. The arms assist by 
vigorous pulling. 

(b) The double knee-swingup. It resembles 
the single-knee-swingup, but has not the assistance 
obtained from the pendant leg and is therefore 
more difficult. To overcome this a larger swing 
should be obtained in the double knee-hang and 
the arms more actively employed. 

Both exercises lead to seats on one or both 
thighs on the bar and start from inverted balance 
hang. 

The knee-swingoff. (Knieabschwung.) When 
executed backward with upper grip the leg (or 
legs) squat forward quickly and the body passes 
rapidly through the inverted balance hang and 
then swings off forward either to a long swing or 
to a squat-stand with arms raised sideward. 

In the forward knee swingoff the body turns over 
forward suspended by hands and knee (or knees), 
generally with under grip, and after it has swung 
beyond the vertical leading to the bar, the leg is 
quickly squatted forward so that the gymnast 
comes to a hang. This hang may be momentary, 
immediately followed by dropping to a stand, or 
the gymnast may remain in it. 

The forward knee-swingoff is also done as fol- 
lows to a stand: The gymnast pushes off from 
hands and knees with a powerful thrust, after he 
has turned over forward as described above, and 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 35 

is passing beyond the horizontal on the other side 
of the bar. This thrust must be strong enough to 
enable him to draw his leg (or legs in the double) 
from off the bar and bring his body into a vertical 
position. He alights in the squat-stand with arms 
in the side position. These exercises are rather 
difficult and care must be taken when learning them. 

The free knee-swingofr is done from hanging 
by the knees (without grip of hands) from the still 
hang or from swinging. From the still hang it 
requires a forceful thrust against the bar to right 
the body so it will alight in a vertical position. 
From the swing the correct moment to snap from 
the bar must be selected. It occurs slightly before 
the end of the backward swing. The gymnast 
alights as in the other exercises. 

The crotch-swingups. (Muhlenaufschwung.) 
These exercises are defined as those of the knee- 

swingups, substituting the word crotch-swingup. 

The various modes of execution are : 

The single inner and outer crotch-swingup. 

The straddle (crotch-) swingup. 

It is not performed singly beside the opposite 
hand, nor as a double crotch-swingup. 

The execution resembles the knee-swingup. 
There is, however, no bending of the knee, the 
leg being kept perfectly extended and gliding along 
the bar as the body rises above it. A vigorous 
straightening of the hips added to the pulling mo- 
tion of the arms assists considerably in raising the 
body above the bar. Various grips. 



36 ACTIVITIES PECULIAR TO CERTAIN APPARATUS 

The crotch-szvingoff. (Miihlenabschwung. ) 
The swingofr forward and backward are the 
same as those of the knee-swingoffs.. 

Hip-swingup backward into support frontways. 
(Felgaufschwmig.) The straight legs are quickly 
swung forward and upward, passing over the bar. 
The arms are forcefully flexed and assist in draw- 
ing the body to a support frontways. Executed 
from the swing the body alights with force on its 
hips if no effort is made to resist this. 

The hip-swing off forward from support fronts 
ways. (Felgabschwung vorwarts, riickwarts.) The 
body turns over forward from the support, lying 
upon the hips, and swings into the bent arm or 
straight arm hang from which it drops to a stand. 
It may also lead to the long swing if a thrust from 
the hips takes place as it turns over forward. 

From support rearways it is performed back- 
ward and terminates in the stand rearways. That 
is, the body must swing underneath and beyond the 
bar and then drop to a stand with a whole turn- 
backward about its breadth axis. Various grips, 
(Care.) 

The hip-pullup backzvard (FeigaufzUg riick- 
warts) into support frontways. The legs are 
slowly raised forward and upward, bringing the 
feet to the bar, while the arms are kept straight. 
The legs are then slowly drawn over the bar, the 
trunk following them, by bending of the arms. 
When the body has passed sufficiently far over the 
bar it is straightened into the support. Various 
grips. 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 37 

J7. The circles. (Umschwiinge.) The circles 
on the horizontal bar are generally named accord- 
ing to the part of the body forming the pivot for 
the circle. They will be described as beginning 
from a definite position above the bar necessary 
for the ensuing circle. The parts not active are to 
be kept in the fundamental position as much as the 
exercise permits. This should be particularly ob- 
served of the head and chest. 

The single knee-circle backward. (Knieum- 
schwung.) From a seat on thigh, upper grip, the 
entire body is forcibly thrown back-upward, so that 
the bar strikes the knee-socket. The pendant leg, 
which is perfectly rigid, is simultaneously swung 
in the same direction. The force with which the 
knee strikes the bar changes the direction of the 
swing to downward, to which that of the leg is 
added, and the body describes a circle about the 
bar. The head, trunk and leg are kept in a straight 
line during the circling. It is performed between 
(inner) and outside of (outer) the hands. 

The double knee-circle backward. It is per- 
formed with both legs between or outside of the 
hands and resembles the single knee-circle in exe- 
cution. 

The single knee-circle forward. It starts from 
the same position as the backward circle but with 
'under grip. A raising movement which brings the 
knee socket to the bar precedes the vigorous for- 
ward and downward swing of the trunk aided by 
the sw T ing of the pendant leg. In both circles (for- 
ward and backward) there should be a tendency 
to swing in as large a circle as possible. 



38 ACTIVITIES PECULIAR TO CERTAIN APPARATUS 

The double knee-circle forward. As the single 
with both legs either between or outside of hands. 

The crotch-circles. (Muhlenumschwung.) They 
are executed forward (under grip), backward 
(upper grip), and sideward (outer grip), and begin 
from a position on the bar in which the chest is 
well arched, the head held high, the extended legs 
astride with feet an ordinary stride's length apart, 
and the bar passing under the crotch. The body is 
forcibly swung in the direction indicated. 

The forward and backward circle is easiest if 
preceded by a slight raising of the body so that the 
bar will pass under the forward thigh. The posi- 
tion of the body does not change during circling. 

The hip-circle backward (Felgumschwung 
riickwarts). From support frontways, upper grip, 
swing the extended body backward into the free 
support. As it strikes the bar with the hips it 
circles around the bar. With the descending move- 
ment upon the bar, the trunk is dropped backward 
and the feet swung forward assisting the circling. 
It should be performed with straight hips, though 
they are usually bent in beginners. 

PARALLEL BAR. 

Swinging in support (Stiitzschwingen). Termed 
support swinging for short. It is only performed 
forward and backward and with a perfectly ex- 
tended body. The shoulder joint forms the pivot. 
At the end of the backward swing the body is 
arched, the hips are slightly bent at the end of the 
forward swing. 



THE PARALLEL BAR 39 

The intermediate swing (Zwischenschwung.) 
This consists of a support swing between two parts 
of an exercise and is used to link these parts to- 
gether. It may be a backward, forward, back-for- 
ward or fore-backward support swing. 

The swinging from fore-arm support (Schwung- 
stemme vom Unterarmstutz). It is executed back- 
ward and forward to seats, supportlying and sup- 
port. When performed backward the body should 
swing to the horizontal position or above it and the 
arms straightened with a thrust against the bar as 
the body reaches its highest point. The body must 
be kept well arched. In the forward execution the 
body rises as the swing is approaching its highest 
point. The hips are slightly bent. The legs should 
be kept extended and firmly closed in both exer- 
cises. 

The dipswing. (Knickschwung.) It consists 
of an arm bending and straightening performed 
with the pendulum motion of the body. The arm 
bending begins at the moment when the body seems 
to have reached the end of its swing and is just 
about to begin its movement in the opposite direc- 
tion. If this moment is not precisely selected it 
mars the exercise. The arm straightening occurs 
gradually as the body rises toward the horizontal 
and is completed when the body reaches the highest 
point of its swing. 

There are many exercises that, although not dis- 
tinctly peculiar to the parallel bars, contain some 
feature which is characteristic of their execution on 
the parallel bars. They have been previously de- 



40 ACTIVITIES PECULIAR TO CERTAIN APPARATUS 

scribed and may be referred to. The most im- 
portant are: 

The leg-swings and circles under the hand. 
Seats and seat changing. Scissors backward and 
forward. The various vaults and mounts partic- 
ularly on the side parallel bar, terminating in the 
support or another position. The various dis- 
mounts from seats and from the support, 



GRADED LESSONS. 

Horizontal Bar. 

L 
Topic : Hang with various grips and simple leg 
exercises in the hang; arm exercises in hang- 
lying ; cross hand, foot and knee hang. 

1. Jump to hang (side and cross) with various 

grips and intermediate jumps (in one turn). 

2. Jump to hang (side and cross) : linked knee- 

and leg-faising and swinging fore-upward. 

3. Jump to hang: double knee-raising (swinging) 

fore-upward. 
Waist-high (or lower) : 

4. Hang-lying: arm bending, double grip chang- 

ing. 

5. Hang-lying: arm bending to upper arm hang. 
Shoulder-high (of higher) : 

6. Cross-stand : cross hand-foot hang or hand- 

knee (single) hang. 

7. As 6, then arm-bending, 

Emphasize: correct jump - to hang; Correct- 
hang position as width of grip; chest and 
head up (active hang); legs straight; back 
straight; toes pointing downward. Also cor- 
rest hang-lying position. 

Note : Difficult exercises not mastered in a les- 
son should be reviewed at a future time. 



42 GRADED LESSONS 

II. 

Topic : Traveling and hand- jumping in the 
hang; development of inverted balance-hang 
(5, 6, 7) on head-high bar from stand. 
Jump-high. 

1. Traveling sideward left, right; also to span- 

hang. 

2. Traveling forward and backward. 

3. Hand-jumping in place and sideward left and 

right. 

4. Hang, raise knees, straighten forward and 

lower slowly four times. 
Head-high. 

5. Stride-stand (to obtain leg-swing), arms bent; 

swing to inverted squat-hang, lower slowly 
to stand, to bent hang. 

6. As 5, then single, alternate, linked, double leg- 

straightening close to bar and return. Em- 
phasize; correct inverted balance-hang; i. e., 
avoid sinking of hips, keep knees at bar. 

7. As 5, but swing extended legs to inverted bal- 

ance-hang; lower slowly to stand, to bent 
hang. 

III. 

Topic: Turn-traveling forward and backward; 
bent hang with various grips arid exercises 
in it. 
Jump high. 

1. Turn-traveling forward. 

2. Turn-traveling backward. 

3. Raise knees fore-upward, straighten legs, lower 

slowly. 
Reach- to jump-high. 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 43 

4. Jump to bent hang (side, cross) with different 

grips and intermediate jumps (in one turn). 

5. Jump to bent squat-hang, different grips and 

intermediate jumps (in one turn). 

6. Jump to bent hang, then double knee-raising 

three times. 

7. Jump to bent hang, then linked leg-raising for- 

ward. 

8. Jump to bent hang, then leg-straddling side- 

ward. 
Emphasize : slow sinking to hang when not 
jumping off from bent hang; correct pos- 
ture in bent hang, i. e., head and chest up, 
shoulders back, legs straight and toes point- 
ing, grip fairly wide. 

IV. 

Topic : Leg-exercises in the inverted balance- 
hang; hand and arm exercises in the bent- 
hang. 
Reach-high. 

1. Review: 

(a) inverted squat-hang; 

(b) inverted balance-hang. 
Progression by (1) raising bar; (2) by slow 

raising of extended legs from the hang. 
(Aim.) 

2. As 1 to inverted balance-hang, then straddle 

legs. 

3. As 1 to inverted balance-hang, alternate leg- 

swing under bar beside hand. 

4. As 3, but both (straddle) under bar. 

5. As 3 to outer knee-hand hang; return to bal- 

ance-hang. 



44 GRADED LESSONS 

Emphasize : slow lowering of the extended legs 
from the balance-hang in each exercise. 

6. Alternate grip-changing in the bent hang. 

7. Change to single (double) arm hang from the 

bent hang. 
The elbow hang may precede 7. 

V. 

Topic : Squatting exercises to knee-hangs from 
inverted balance-hang. 

Jump-high. 

1. Running jump to hang -swinging. Double take- 

off from board; move board with each jump. 
Jump-off at end of first, second, third back- 
swing. 
Emphasize: correct gripping at once, straight 
legs. Care in assisting when jumping on and 
off; correct moment for jumping off must be 
chosen. 

2. Hang, double leg-raising to inverted balance- 

hang; slow lowering. The speed of leg-rais- 
ing may be adjusted to ability of the class. 
Emphasize the value of slow raising. Permit 
swinging if strength for raising is lacking. 

3. As 2, then alternate squatting forward to single 

knee-hang. 

4. As 2, then double squatting forward (three 

times) to double knee-hang. (Also free 
knee-hang. ) 

5. As 2, then linked squatting forward (four 

times) to single knee-hang. 

6. As 1, then inverted balance-hang at end of sec- 

ond forward swing ; lower slowly to hang. 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 45 

7. As 6 and at once squat left to inner knee-hang. 
(Aim.) 

VI. 

Topic : Leg-swing in support ; turn-over with 
squatting to various inverted hangs and 
hangs rear ways. 
Chest-high. 

1. Support: alternate leg-swing sideward on bar; 

over bar beside hand. 

2. Support: leg-swing outward forward under 

hand and return. 
Emphasize: correct support, grip shoulder- 
width apart, not lying on bar; straight arm 
and leg in the leg-swing. 

3. As 2, but left and right to support rearways 

more like a side-seat) and return. (As- 
sistance from in front. (Aim.) 
Head-high. 

4. Half turn-over backward to nest-hang. 

5. Inverted balance-hang frontways, squat for- 

ward to balance-hang rearways, lower to 
stand rearways (also to hang). 

6. As 5 from balance-hang rearways, straighten 

to inverted hang rearways; bend hips and 
lower to stand rearways. 

7. Whole turn-over backward through squat-hang 

to stand rearways ; return (jump and turn- 
over forward.) 

8. As 7, but to squat-hang rearways instead of 

stand and return to bent hang. 

9. Aim. As 8 with extended legs (i. e., hang 

rearways). 



46 GRADED LESSONS 

Progression by raising bar; i. e., execution (a) 
from stand; (b) from jump to bent hang; 
(c) from still hang. 

VII. 

Topic : Hand-springing in the long swing ; turn- 
ing to inverted hangs in the long swing. 

1. Running jump to hang-swinging, at end of for- 

ward swing: 

a) Turn-over to inverted squat-hang, 
straighten to hang-swinging and repeat 
(three times) ; 

b) As a, but balance-hang. 
At end of backward swing: 

c) Hand-hopping left and right in place; 

d) Hand- jumping in place; 

e) Hand-jumping sideward; 

f) Hand- jumping with hand-clapping. 
(Aim.) 

Reach-high. 

2. Jump to bent hang with fore- and back-swing 

(four times.) Jump-off backward. 

3. Bent hang: Travel sideward, left and right, 

backward and forward. (Aim.) 
Emphasize form in swinging. 

VIII. 
Topic: Development of knee-swingup. 
Head-high. 

1. Half turn-over (slow) to inverted balance- 
hang; leg-swing to outer knee-hang and 
knee-swingup with other arm on bar ; return 
to stand through balance-hang. 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 47 

2. As 1, but squat and inner knee-swingup after 

several swings without other arm on bar. 

3. As 2, but outer knee-swingup after several 

swings. 
Emphasize : vigorous swingup of the thor- 
oughly extended pendant leg to assist in the 
knee-swingup. 

4. As 2, in one additional swing back and forth. 

(Aim.) 

5. As 3, in one additional swing back and forth. 

(Aim.) 
Progression by raising bar; i. e., 1) from reach- 
high bar; 2) from jump to bent hang; 3) 
from still hang. 
Waist-high. 

6. Flank, front and rear vault from running start 

and stand. Prepared on side horse. 
Repeat frequently to develop strength and cour- 
age, not for form. Emphasize form later. 

IX. 

Topic : Turns in hang frontways about reverse 
under grip and turns in hang rear ways. 
Jump-high. 

1. Hang, one hand reverse under grip, and whole 

turn about this arm; return. 

2. As 1, but regrasp with free hand with reverse 

under grip and repeat ; continue. 

3. Bend arms to bent hang. 

4. As 3, with single and double leg-raising for- 

ward. 

5. Bend arms, turn over backward to inverted 

squat hang. 



48 GRADED LESSONS 

6. As 5 to hang rearways ; return through balance- 

hang. 

7 . As 5 to hang rearways, then whole turn and 

re grasp. 

8. Try 7 with keeping arms and legs straight 

(aim) during the turn to balance-hang. 
Note : — If 5-8 are too difficult from still hang, 
permit execution from jump to bent hang, 
etc. Suggest the value of execution from 
still hang. 

X. 

Topic : Knee-swingup and circles. 
Head-high. 

1. Inverted balance-hang, leg-swing to outer knee- 

hang, return. 

2. As 1, with immediate outer knee-swingup; 

knee-swingoff through balance-hang. Swing 
free leg vigorously. 

3. As 2, but inner knee-swingup ; drop to knee- 

hang and repeat. Emphasize straight arms 
during dropping. 

4. As 3, then knee-circle backward. 

5. ' As 4, but forward, under grip. 

Emphasize the need of straight arms when 
dropping from seat on thigh and the im- 
portance of sudden (backward circle) catch- 
ing in the knee joint; bent arms break the 
swing. 

Progression by raising bar. 
Waist (to shoulder) high. 

6. Review : Flank, front, and rear vault from run 

and stand. 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 49 

Emphasize form on low height, practice for 
strength on higher bar. Progression by rais- 
ing bar. 

XL 
Topic : Outer knee-swingup and hand-turn 
from swinging; progression of hip-swingup. 
Jump high. 

1. Running jump to hang-swinging; review 

a) hand-jumping sideward left and right. 

b) hand- jumping in place with hand-clap- 

Ping; 

c) balance-hang; and add 

d) outer knee-swingup ; knee-swingoff to 
hang; 

e) hang-turn {]/ 2 ) about arm retaining 
grip. 

Head to reach high. 

2. Hip-swingup, various grips (under to upper) ; 

jump off backward. 
Jump high. 

3. As 2, but from jump to bent-hang; lower for- 

ward through balance-hang. 

4. As 3, but hip-swingoff forward. 

Note : — The strength of the class may be tested 
on the hip-swingup on jump high bar and if 
equal to it, exercises 2-4 taken through; if 
not, begin on head high bar. Repeat at fu- 
ture time. 

XII. 
Topic Under-swing from stand and support. 
Chin high. 
I. Under-swing from side stand frontways, upper 



50 GRADED LESSONS 

grip, over rope about 30 inches distant ; raise 
after each under-swing. (As the rope ap- 
proaches height of bar, raise the bar to head 
or reach high). Emphasize balance-hang 
and forceful extension of hips as you swing 
forward. 
Head high (later reach and jump high). 

2. Under-swing from support. Emphasize drop- 

ping without taking extra swing, and with 
straight arms, so that the hip-bending does 
not occur too soon; during the momentary 
balance-hang the shins or knees are brought 
near the bar ; then follows the forward swing 
of the legs and hip extension. 

3. Review : Outer knee- and hip-swingup. 

XIII. 

Topic: Knee-swingups (and swingoffs) from 
hang-swinging. 
Jump high. 

1. Running jump to hang-swinging and outer 

knee-swingup ; knee-swingofT. 

2. As 1, but inner knee-swingup. 

3. Review ; hip-pullup ; lower forward to balance- 

hang. 

4. As 1, leg-swing to support and under-swing. 
(Review.) 

5. As 2, leg-swing to support and under-swing. 
Emphasize correct form during swinging and 

under-swing; prevent falling forward after 
under-swing from jump high bar. 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 51 

XIV. 

Topic : Knee- and hip-swingups followed by 
knee-circles forward and backward and 
crotch-circles forward. 
Head high. 

1. Inner knee-swingup, upper grip; crotch-circle 

forward, under grip; knee-swingofl forward 
to bent-hang. Emphasize: straight arms 
during crotch-circle; raise body slightly be- 
fore beginning the crotch-circle. 

2. Inner knee-swingup forward and three knee- 

circles backward; knee-swingofl backward. 

3. As 2, but knee-circles and swingoff forward, 

under grip. Emphasize form in 2 and 3 as 
they are reviewed. 

4. Hip swingup and outer knee-circles backward; 

leg-swing to support and under-swing. 

5. As 4, but crotch-circles forward. 

XV. 

Topic: Hip- and outer hip-swingup from bent 
hang swinging. 

Jump high. 

1. Under-swing from the jump. Legs are raised 

as the arms bend immediately following the 
jump; passing through the inverted balance 
hang, with knees at bar, the jump-off for- 
ward follows. Practice frequently in rapid 
succession to acquire strength; later for 
form. 

2. Jump to swinging in the bent hang and 

a) outer knee-swingup; 

b) hip-swingup. 



52 GRADED LESSONS 

Finish with under-swing from support and low- 
ering through bent support. 
3. As 2, followed by 

a) (leg-swing and) crotch-circle forward: 

b) (leg-swing and) outer knee-circle 
backward. 

Finish with knee-swingofr" backward to a hang. 

XVI. 
Topic : Hip-circle. 
Shoulder high. 

1. Hip-swingup; swing backward to free support 

four times. Under-swing. 

2. Hip-swingup; hip-circle backward; under- 

swing. 
Preparatory: Elbow-hip circle forward and 
backward. In the regular hip circle back- 
ward the pupil must accustom himself to 
lying on the abdomen as the body returns 
from the preliminary swing, and then swing 
the upper part of the trunk backward at the 
same time. Practice frequently to acquire 
the skill. 

3. As 2; jump to stand and under-swing. (Review 

crotch-circle forward.) 

4. Running start and front, rear and flank vaults. 

XVII. 

Topic : Swing start from the jump ; hip-swing- 
up from the swing. 

Jump high. 

1. Swing start from the jump; jump oft at end 
of back-swing. Resembles under-swing from 



THE HORIZONTAL BAR 53 

the jump, but instead of the jump-off, the 
body is vigorously swung forward and the 
arms are straightened. There is a tendency 
to keep the arms bent. 

2. As 1, with hand-jumping in place, sideward 

left, right, and hand- jumping in place with 
hand clapping, at end of back-swing. Also 
squat to inverted balance hang rearways and 
sink to hang. The activities in the swing are 
added to get frequent repetitions of the swing 
start. 

3. Swing start, hip-swingup with forward swing; 

under-swing. 
Preparatory: Leg-raising to inverted balance 
hang from the swing. 

XVIII. 

Topic : Hip- and knee-swingup from the swing- 
start taken from the jump and followed by 
circles. 
Jump high. 

1. Jump, swing-start and 

a) outer knee-swingup and swingoff; 

b) inner knee-swingup and swingoff; 

c) As a, leg-swing backward and under- 
swing ; 

d) As b, leg-swing backward and under- 
swing ; 

e) Hip-swingup; hip-swingoff. 

2. As 1, and add knee- and hip-circles backward. 

XIX. 

Topic : Crotch-circle backward ; swing start 
from still hang. 



54 GRADED LESSONS 

Head high. 

1. Inner knee-swingup forward, crotch-circle 

backward; under-swing. 
Emphasize straight arms and legs and vigor- 
ous backward swing; the bar is across the 
thigh, slightly below the crotch. Frequent 
repetition; alternate under-swing from sup- 
port and stand. 

2. As 1, and review crotch-circle forward, hip- 

circle backward ; sink backward through bent 
support. 
Jump high. 

3. Swing start from the still hang, jump off at 

end of backward swing. 

4. As 3, and half-turn at end of backward swing; 

continuously. Phases of the swing start ; the 
arm bending, leg raising, tilting to inverted 
balance hang, the forceful extension of hip, 
forward swinging of body, and arm straight- 
ening. 

XX. 

Topic: Double knee-circle backward; hip- and 
knee-swingup from swinging followed by 
knee-, crotch-, double knee- and hip-circles. 
Shoulder high. 

1. Support, half -turn, and double knee-circle back- 
ward; jump off forward. Assistance at the 
moment the circle is about to be completed. 
Practice frequently. Emphasize straight 
arms in dropping and striking the knee joint 
with a snap. 

Jump high. 



SIDE HORSE 55 

2. Slow leg raising to inverted hang rearways, 

return to frontways and hip-pullup ; under- 
swing. 

3. Swing start and hip-swingup ; under-swing. 

4. Swing start and outer and inner knee-swingup 

followed by 

a) inner knee-circles forward and back- 
ward; 

b) outer knee-circles forward and back- 
ward; 

c) inner crotch-circles forward and back- 
ward; 

e) hip-circle backward. 

Side Horse* 

Every exercise is executed to the left then to 
the right. 

I. 
Topic: Supports and seats on near side. 

1. In support frontways; single and alternate leg- 

swing sideward. 

2. jump with J (-J) turns to cross-seat on end 

and in saddle. 

3. Jump with j4 turns to support rearways. 

4. As 2, intermediate jump and repeat to right. 

(Simple combination.) 

5. As 1, and intermediate jump to seats. 

6. Jump to free support and straddle legs, knee- 

swing, foot-swing. 
Emphasize : straight arms, raised chest, 
straight legs in support; knee-bending upon 
alighting. 



56 GRADED LESSONS 

Note := — Lessons containing difficult exercises 
not mastered in one lesson should be re- 
viewed at a future time. 

II. 

Topic : Seat changing from end to end of horse. 

1. Change from cross-seat on neck to cross-seat 

on croup. 

2. Front vault mount to riding- (cross-stride) 

seat on ends ; front vault dismount. 

3. Front vault mount on end; (a) intermediate 

jump and repeat; (b) intermediate jump and 
mount on other end. 

4. As 3 b, through momentary support; i. e., no 

intermediate jump. 

5. Review exercise in free support. 
Emphasize: straight arms in support, straight 

legs ; knee-bending upon alighting. 

III. 
Topic : Development of flank vault. 

1. Jump to support frontways with: 

a) Leg-swing left (outward forward) un- 
der left hand and return. 

b) As a, intermediate jump and repeat. 

c) As a, intermediate swing and repeat. 
(Try the intermediate swing sepa- 
rately.) 

d) As a, and immediately right. (Simple 
combination.) 

Development of Flank Vault. 

2. Grip on end and pommel: 

a) Flank vault mount to side-seat. 

b) Flank vault mount to stand. 



SIDE HORSE 57 

3. Grip on pommels : 

a) Flank vault to support lying. 

b) Flank vault to stand. (Aim.) 

c) Flank vault to support rearways. 
Emphasize: extended legs and arms in leg- 
swings, vigorous side-swing of both legs in 
the vault. 

Practice : ( 1 ) Vaulting for strength, repeating 
frequently and in rapid succession the vault 
to be learned; (2) Vaulting for form. (Crit- 
icise.) Proceed likewise in all vaults that 
follow. 

IV. 

Topic: Single leg-swings under same hand, 
alternated with leg-swing outward forward 
with y$ and y 2 turns. 

1. Leg-swing left under left hand, return, and 

immediately right. (Review.) 

2. Leg-swing outward forward with Y^ turn to 

riding seat; front vault dismount. 

3. Leg-swing outward forward with y 2 turn; leg- 

swing outward backward to stand. 

4. As 1, intermediate jump, and then 2. 

5. As 1, intermediate jump, and then 3. 

6. Review : Flank vault over ends. 

V. 

Topic: Leg-swings outward backward from 
support rearways; knee-mounts and knee- 
jumps; sheep vault. 

1. Support rearways: leg-swing left outward 

backward under left hand and return. 

2. As 1, intermediate swing and repeat. 



58 GRADED LESSONS 

3. As 1 and immediately right. (Aim.) 

4. Double knee-mount in saddle or on ends. 

5. Single knee-mount; simultaneous change of 

position (several times.) 

6. As 4 and knee-jump (a) forward; (b) back- 

ward. 

7. As 5 and knee-jump (a) forward; (b) back- 

ward (single.) 

8. As 6 a with ]/ A and y* turns. (Aims.) 

9. Sheep-vault. (Aim.) 

VI. 
Topic : Development and variations of the front 
vault. 

1. Repeat exercises 1 a-d of lesson III : leg-swings 

outward forward and return from support 
frontways. 

2. Front vault mount to riding- (cross stride-) 

seat in saddle. 

3. Front vault to stand. 

4. High front vault to stand. (Aim.) 

5. Front vault with % turn toward apparatus. 

6. Front vault left (over neck) ; grip on pommel 

and croup. Also with object on neck. 

7. Front vault with both hands grasping one pom- 

mel. (Aim.) 

8. Review flank vault and knee-jump. (Progres- 

sion.) 

VII. 
Topic: Development of rear vault. 
1. Repeat exercises 1-3 of V. (Leg-swings out- 
ward backward from support rearways.) 



SIDE HORSE 59 

2. Grip on pommel and end, jump to cross-seat, 

facing end. 

3. Grip on pommel and end, jump to closed seat, 

facing end. 

4. Rear vault mount to riding-seat (cross stride- 

seat). Rear vault dismount. 

5. R.ear vault over end (neck and croup.) 

6. Rear vault mount to riding-seat (in saddle), 

grip on pommels. 

7. Rear vault, grip on pommels. (Aim.) 

VIII. 
Topic: Leg-swings from frontways and rear- 
ways and Y\ and y 2 turn dismounts forward. 

1 . Support frontways : leg-swings under the same 

hand and % ( l / 2 ) turn dismounts. 

2. Same from support rearways. 

3. Frontways : leg-swing under the same hand 

and return, intermediate jump and as 1 with 
(a) the same leg, (b) opposite leg. 

4. As 3, but intermediate swing instead of inter- 

mediate jump. 

5. (Aim.) As 3, but immediately leg-swing to 

opposite side and turn dismount. 

6. Rearways : leg-swing under same hand and 

return ; intermediate swing and repeat leg- 
swing, but turn dismount. 

7. (Aim.) As 6 combining left and right through 

momentary support and turn dismount. 

8. Review rear vault (for strength; for form.) 

IX. 
Topic : Development of Scissors. 
Use front and rear vault mount and dismount. 



60 GRADED LESSONS 

1. Riding-seat on end, scissors backward. (De- 

veloped from support-lying from seat, %, ^ 
turns.) 

2. As 1, but forward. 

3. Review front and flank vault. 

4. Review knee jumps forward and backward. 

5. Review sheep vault. 

6. Review leg-swing dismount with turns. 

X. 

Topic : Squatting leading to development of 
squat vault. 

1. Single and double squat mount to squat stand 

(saddle). 

2. Repeat with intermediate jump. 

3. Single squat stand and simultaneous change of 

leg positions. 

4. Squat to stride-support ; follow to rearways. 

5. Squat to stride support and return. 

6. Squat to support rearways; squat backward 

successively. 

7. Squat to support rearways ; squat backward 

with both. 

8. Squat to stride support ; simultaneous squatting 

backward and forward, % turn dismount. 

9. Double squat stand with immediate straighten- 

ing to straight stand; jump off. 

10. Squat vault with releasing grip. (Emphasize 

forceful thrust from pommels.) 

XI. 

Topic : Development of squat vault. 
1. Repeat scissors backward from riding-seat on 
end. 



SIDE HORSE 61 

2. Repeat scissors forward from riding-seat on 

end. 

3. Squat to support, rearways and 

a) Squat backward singly; 

b) Squat backward with both. 

4. Stride support: simultaneous squatting, y 2 turn 

dismount. 

5. Single and double squat mount to straight 

stand. 

6. Squat vault. 

7. Squat vault for distance (over wand held horse 

high). 
Emphasize: forceful thrust from pommels. 

XII. 

Topic : Development of wolf vault. 

1. Frontways: leg-swing outward forward (under 

hand) and return executed left and right with 

a) intermediate jump; 

b) intermediate swing. (Review.) 

2. Single knee mount with leg-swing sideward 
^(free). 

3. Single squat stand with leg-swing sideward on 

horse. 

4. Single squat stand with leg-swing sideward 

(free). 

5. Single knee mount with leg-swing sideward; 

change positions. 

6. Single squat stand with leg-swing sideward ; 

change positions. 

7. Single squat stand with leg-swing outward for- 

ward. 

8. Wolf (squat-straddle) vault. 



62 GRADED LESSONS 

XIII. 

Topic: The inward and forward leg-swing (i. 
e., under opposite hand) and return. 

1. Stand to stand: leg-swing inzvard and forzvard 

(under opposite hand) and return. 

2. As 1, intermediate jump and repeat. 

3. As 1, from support to support. 

4. As 2, but intermediate swing. (Aim.) 

5. Review : 

a) flank vault \ 

c) llT villi" \ for strength and form 

d) squat vault ( b ^ ralsm S a PP artus - 
e) sheep vault ) 

XIV. 

Topic : Development of straddle vault. Varia- 
tions of rear and flank vault. 

1. Rearways : review leg-swing outward backward 

(under same hand) and return. 

2. Jump to straddle stand; intermediate jump and 

repeat (three to four times.) 

3. Jump to straddle stand ; straighten immediately. 

4. Run, straddle vault forward. (Assistance.) 

Repeat for strength and form. 

5. Review rear vault with j4 turn toward appara- 

tus. 

6. Review flank vault with % turn from appara- 

tus. (Flank to front vault.) 

7. Review wolf vault for strength and form. 



SIDE HORSE 63 

XV. 

Topic : Turn-legs wing backward from support 
frontways to different seats. 

1 . From stand, from support frontways : 

a) Half turn with leg-swing left back- 

ward to side stride seat; 

b) Three-quarter turn with leg-swing left 

backward to riding seat. 
The left leg swings backward inward. Repeat 

for form with various dismounts. 
Variation and progression : 

2. Review wolf vault over ends (grip on pommel 

and end). 

3. Review squat vault for height (hold wand at 

far side). 

4. Review straddle vault; raise apparatus. 

XVI. 
Topic: Development of thief vault. 

1. Review inward forward leg-swing (opposite 

hand) and return. Repeated by joining the 
swings with (a) intermediate jump; (b) in- 
termediate swing. Take-off equals distance 
of leg-swing forward. 

2. Run and leg-swing jump to stride support in 

saddle. (Take-off right brings left leg for- 
ward.) 

3. As 2, to stand in saddle. 

4. Thief vault to side seat; other leg squats for- 

ward. 

5. Thief vault to support rearways. 

6. Thief vault to stand. (Aim.) Repeat for 

strength and form. 

7. Free jump over horse. 



64 GRADED LESSONS 

XVII. 

Topic : Turn-legswings backward from support 
rearways to various seats. 

1. Support rearways in saddle: 

a) Half turn leg-swing left forward to 

side stride seat (end). 

b) Three-quarter turn leg-swing left for- 

ward to riding seat. 
The left leg swings forward inward. Repeat 
for form with various dismounts. 

2. Thief vault for distance by moving take-off, 

(Progression.) Repeat for strength and form. 

3. Review flank, front and rear vaults with quart- 

er turns. 

XVIII. 

1. Review leg-swing under same and opposite 

hand from support frontways. (Aim.) Leg- 
swing left forward under left hand, return, 
and leg-swing left forward under right hand ; 
dismount. 
Variation and progression : 

2. Wolf vault left with quarter turn right. 

3. Wolf vault left with quarter turn left. 
Repeat for form. 

4. Repeat thief, straddle and wolf vault for height. 

XIX. 

1. Three-quarter turn leg-swing mount backward 

and forward from support frontways and 
rearways (review) respectively. 

2. Review scissors backward and forward from 

riding seat. 



p arallel bars 65 

3. Review leg-swing under same hand from sup- 

port rearways. 

4. Review squat, sheep and front vault for height. 

XX. 

Topic : Leg-circle under opposite and same 
hand. 

1. Leg-circle left under right and left hand in (a) 

two movements ; (b) one movement. To be 
practiced for strength and form from a run- 
ning start, a stand, and finally from support. 

2. Review : Flank, front, rear, squat, sheep, wolf, 

squat-straddle, thief vaults for form and 
height. 

Parallel Bars. 

Every exercise is performed left, then right. 

I. 

Topic: Leg and trunk exercises in support; 

jumps to seats in front of hands and rear 

vault dismount from these. 
Breast high. 

1. Jump to support, intermediate jump and repeat 

(four times.) 

2. As 1, then double knee-raising forward, 

straighten forward and lower slowly (three 
times.) 

3. Turn trunk in support. 

4. Jump to inner cross-seat in front of left hand, 

swing backward and intermediate jump to 
cross-seat in front of right hand (four times.) 
Rear vault dismount from last seat. 

5. As 4, but to riding-seat. 



66 GRADED LESSONS 

6. As 4, but to straddle seat. 

7. As 4, but to outer cross-seat. 

Emphasize: straight arms in support, chest up, 
hips straight ; correct seats. 

Note : Difficult exercises not mastered in a les- 
son should be reviewed at a future time. 

II. 

Topic Hand hopping and jumping in support. 

1. Support: alternate hand hopping in place. 

2. Support : alternate hand hopping in place with 

striking chest. 

3. Support : alternate hand hopping forward. 

4. Support: alternate hand hopping backward. 

5. Support : single and double leg-raising forward. 

6. Support: alternate hand hopping forward on 

oblique bars. 

7. Support: % turn to side-support and return. 

8. Support: hand jumping forward; backward. 
Emphasize : correct posture during hopping and 

jumping. 

III. 

Topic : Rear and front vaults from swings ; seat 
changing moving forward, moving back- 
ward. 

1. Fore-, back- and fore-swing to rear vault. 

2. As 1, add back-swing to front vault. 

3. Repeat 1 with % turn toward apparatus. 

4. Some seat in front of hands, intermediate swing 

and front vault. 

5. Some seat in rear of hands, intermediate swing 

and rear vault. 



PARALLEL BARS 67 

6. Seat changing moving backward (a) from a 

given seat to same seat; (b) from a given 
seat to a different seat. From inner seat to 
outer seats. 

7. Seat changing moving forward (as under 6). 

a) Straddle seat changing forward; strad- 

dle seat front of hands, fall and 
grasp forward, hips straight, and 
front vault dismount. 

b) Straddle seat front of hands, grasp 

forward and intermediate swing to 
seat. 
Additional lessons with different . changes of 

seats may be arranged. 
Emphasize : correct seats. 

IV. 

Topic : Swings over both bars from one seat to 
another in front and in rear of hands. De- 
velopment of scissors. Leg exercises in 
swinging. 

1. Swinging (center) with leg-straddling, knee- 

swing, leg-crossing, single and double squat- 
stand in front and rear of same and opposite 
hand. 

2. Back-swing and scissors backzvard; intermedi- 

ate swing and front vault. Preparatory exer- 
cises for scissors backward consist of cross 
leg-swings with %, then y 2i turns on the 
single bar ; then scissors over both ; first exe- 
cute on horse. 

3. Over-swings from one seat to the same or dif- 

ferent seat in front of hands : — from outer 



68 GRADED LESSONS 

cross to outer cross- (riding-) seat, etc. ■ 
rear vault. 
4. As 3 from seats rear of hands : — from riding- 
seat a riding- (cross-) seat, etc.; from vault. 

Emphasize : correct seats. 

An additional lesson can be arranged by omit- 
ting 4 the first time and then taking it with a 
review of 1 and 2. 

V. 

Topic : Hand-hopping at end of both swings, 
Yz turn-mount from support to straddle seat. 

1. Swinging with 

a) Alternate hand-hopping (left and 

right) forward at end of each fore- 
swing. 

b) Alternate hand-hopping forward at 

end of each back-swing. 

c) Alternate hand-hopping backward at 

end of each back-swing. 

d) Alternate hand-hopping backward at 

end of each back-swing and forward 
at end of each fore-swing. 

e) Aim. Combine a and b. 

2. End : leg-sw T ing right in front of left hand and 

leg-swing left forward over left 'bar to cross- 
support-lying right (on right thigh). 

3. As 2, but to side-support-lying frontways; 

jump-off backward. 

4. As 3, but continue leg-swing left between bars 

to riding-seat rear of right hand ; front vault 
dismount left. 



PARALLEL BARS 69 

5. Aim. As 4, but to straddle-seat : leg-swing right 
in front of left hand, y 2 turn right with leg- . 
swing left forward to straddle^seat in rear; 
front vault dismount. 
Emphasize : high swing of free leg, straight leg, 
correct posture during hopping. 

VI. 

Topic: Hand- jumping in support; backward 
and forward turnovers to inverted hangs and 
to seats, respectively. 

1. Support :two hand jumps in place and two for- 

ward. 

2. Support : two hand jumps in place and two 

backward. 

3. Support : four hand jumps forward and four 

backward. (Aim.) 

4. Stand rearways : half turn-over backward to 

a) inverted squat-hang; 

b) inverted balance-hang; 

c) inverted hang. Alternate any two. 

5. Stand rearways: Y^ turn-over backward tq 

double (single) hammock -hang. 

6. Stand rearways : whole turn-over backward tq 

stand (or hang) and return. (Aim.) 

7. Stand frontways : straddle-swingup (whole 

turn-over forward) to 

a) Straddle-seat front of hands; 

b) Riding-seat front of hands; 

c) Outer oblique seat front of hands. 
(Aim.) (Rear vault.) 

Begin these exercises by bending trunk fore- 
downward and then grasping bars with outer 
grip- 



70 GRADED LESSONS 

VII. 

Topic : Exercises in cross support-lying front- 
ways and rearways ; half turn with leg-swing 
backward from seats ; scissors forward. 

1. Swing to support-lying frontways and 

a) Intermediate swing to rear vault with 

}i turn; 

b) Hand- jumping in place and forward; 

c) Aim. Arm-bending with leg-lowering; 

% also lower to hammock hang; 
d) Raising opposite arm and foot (bal- 
ance.) 

2. Swing to support-lying rearways, intermediate 

swing and front vault. (Also intermediate 
swing to seats or to support-lying frontways.) 
Arrange progressively. 

3. Riding-seat front of left hand, Y\ turn with 

leg-swing right backward to side support- 
lying. 

4. As 3, from straddle-seat. 

5. As 3, but with half -turn to 

a) Cross-seat, rear vault; 

b) Cross support-lying. 

6. As 5, from straddle-seat. (Aim.) 

7- Swinging, scissors forward to straddle-seat. 
(Aim.) Preparatory: on horse, also over 
the single bar first. 
Emphasize: correct posture in support-lying. 

VIII. 
Topic : Hand-jumping from swinging ; hip- and 
scissor-swingup. 
1. Swinging with hand-jumping forward; 
a) with the forward swing; 



PARALLEL BARS 71 

b) with the backward swing; 

c) with the backward and forward swing. 

(Aim.) 

2. As 1, but handjumping backward. (Aim.) 

3. Hip-stvingup from outer side-stand, upper grip 

on far bar, arms under near bar, to side sup- 
port-lying. (Aim.) , 

4. Scissor-swingup. Cross-stand under left bar 

with outer grip, scissor-swingup to straddle- 
seat (support-lying). Preparatory: to oblique 
cross-lying position sideways left on right 
bar, then turn to straddle-seat; then in one 
swing. (Aim.) 

5. Review scissors forward and backward from 

swing. 

IX. 
Topic : Development of forearm swing-stem 
(rise) ; preparatory exercises for vaults from 
support on end, facing outward, over one and 
both bars. 

1. Forearm support, (alternate and) simultaneous 

arm stem (rise) to support. Rear and front 
vault. 

2. Swing in forearm support and swing-stem 

(rise) to straddle seat (and other seats) in 
in rear (front) of hands. Front and rear 
vault. 

3. From forearm support, swing-stem (swing rise) 

backward to support; intermediate swing and 
front vault. (Care.) 

4. As 3, but swing-stem (rise) forward and rear 

vault. (Care.) 



72 GRADED LESSONS 

5. Cross support lying, end of bar, facing out- 
ward: 

a) leg-swing forward under left hand 

with % turn right to a stand ; 

b) straddle vault forward (lean well for- 

ward). (Assistance, grasp upper 
arm.) 

c) flank vault forward left. 

X. 

Topic : Vaults forward from support-swinging 
on end of bar; bent support exercises. 

1. Support-swing on end of bar facing outward 

and 

a) leg-swing left forward under left hand 

with % turn right; 

b) straddle-vault; 

c) flank vault. 

(Assistance by grasping upper arm; also with 
placing hand on chest; insist on leaning well 
forward and on vigorous thrust from hands. 
Repeat frequently, 1) to acquire confidence, i. 
e., courage; b) for form. Preparatory: 
straddle vault over buck from run and sup- 
port, over long horse from support-lying.) 

2. Support, sink to bent support; jump off back- 

ward. 

3. As 2, with knee raising, leg straddling sideward. 

4. As 2, then x /\ turn to single forearm support. 

5. Support, hand jump forward to bent support, 

straighten to support and repeat. 

6. Dipping, unlimited. 



PARALLEL BARS 73 

XI. (SIDE PARELLEL BARS.) 

Topic : Leg-swing from side support-lying. 

1. Jump to side support-lying. Double take-oft 

with hands moving from near to far bar 
during the jump. 

2. As 1, with grip on far bar. 

3. As 2, then single and alternate leg-swing out- 

ward forward and return over far bar. 

4. As 2, then single and alternate leg-swing out- 

ward forward and return between bars. 

5. As 4, with ]A turn to outer cross (oblique) seat 

in front and rear of hands and rear and front 
vault dismount. 

6. As 5, but return to support-lying (leg-circle) 

instead of cross-seat. 

7. As 3, but to a straddle-seat in rear of hands, 

front vault. 

XII. 

Topics: Preparatory exercises for the dip- 
swing ; flank and front vault forward from 
support-swinging on end, facing outward. 

1. Support-swing, end of bar, facing outward and 

a) flank vault forward; 

b) front vault forward (J4 turn). As- 

sistance by grasping the supporting 
arm. Emphasize hip straightening. 

2. Swinging (moderate) in bent support (four 

times), end, facing inward. 

3. As 2, jump off backward, straightening arms. 

4. Support-lying frontways, bent arms and then 

swing forward and backward to support-lying' 
frontways ; straighten arms ; repeat. 



74 GRADED LESSONS 

5. As 4, from straddle seat rear of hands ; begin 
by bending arms and pushing body back- 
ward. Also straddle seat and changing for- 
zvard through bent support. 

XIII. 

Topic : Straighten arms from bent support with 
flexed and extended leg elevations. 

1. Review: swing-stem forward and backward 

from forearm-support to 

a) various seats and then dismounts: 

b) support and various dismounts. 
Various terminating exercises are added to the 

initial exercise. Practice for form. 

2. Jump to bent support ; straighten to support 

with 

a) single and double knee-raising for- 

ward; 

b) leg-straddling sideward; 

c) single and double leg-raising forward. 

XIV. (side parallel bars.) 
Topic : Flank and front vault to inner stand 
(preparatory to vaulting over bar). 

1. Review: Side support-lying, leg-swing outward 

and forward between bars with % turn to 
outer cross (oblique) seat and various dis- 
mounts. Also return to support-lying. Re- 
view them by adding to 3 and 5 as suggested 
under 3. 

2. Flank vault to inner side stand. Preparatory: 

flank vault over side horse and horizontal 
bar. 



PARALLEL BARS / 3 

3. As 2, then jump to support with leg-swing left, 

then right, back-outward to side support-ly- 
ing and add exercises under 1. 

4. Oblique run and front vault left, divided grip, 

left hand on far, right on near bar, to inner 
cross (a) stand; (b) support. 

5. As 4, from perpendicular run ; add exercises. 
Progression in combinations (sequences) by 

adding exercises to the starting exercise. 

XV. 

Topic : Developing leg-swing forward under 
hand to support on end of bar facing inward ; 
the dip-swing forward. 

1. End, support, facing outward: leg-swing under 

hand and straddle vault to stand. (Review.) 

2. End, facing inward: jump to support with leg- 

swing sideward ; single, alternate and double 
(straddle). 

3. As 2, single (alternate) to riding seat rear of 

hand (the hand hops forward) ; grasp back- 
ward and leg-swing inward to stand. 

4. As 3, but leg-swing under hand to riding seat 

in front of hand. 

5. As 4, with simultaneous swing of other leg to 

straddle seat in front of hands ; grasp for- 
ward and front vault. 

6. As 5, but to outer oblique seat on same bar; 

same dismount. 

7. Leg-swing under the hand (same) to support 

(four times). 



76 GRADED LESSON S' 

Emphasize the swing of free leg as the active 
leg swings under the hand (5, 6, 7) ; both 
must swing up together. 

8. Bent support swinging, straighten arms with 

forward swing, back-swing and front vault. 

9. As 8, but intermediate instead of back-swing, 

and rear vault. 

10. Dip-szving forward (four times). Emphasize 

arm-bending at proper moment. 

XVI. 

Topic: End, facing inward; development of 
rear vault from leg-swing under hand oppo- 
site to side of vault. 



Review : Flank and front vault forward from 
support rearways swinging (end of bar). 

Review : Leg-swing forward under hand to sup- 
port (frontways at end). 

As 2, to riding seat in front of other hand; front 
vault dismount. 

As 2, to outer cross (oblique) seat in front of 
other hand ; front vault dismount. 

Leg-swing under hand to rear vault over other 
bar. (Regrasp.) 

Both legs must swing up together in 2, 3, 4 
and 5. 

6. Dip-swing forward (four times). Review. 

7. Dip-swing forward, back-swing and front 

vault. 

8. Dip-swing forward, intermediate swing and 

rear vault. 



PARALLEL BARS 77 

XVII. (SIDE PARALLEL BARS.) 

Topic : Development of rear vault over both 
bars ; flank vault and front vault. 

1. Review: (a) Flank vault to inner side stand; 

quarter turn and rear vault. 

b) Front vault to cross stand and support 
from oblique and perpendicular run ; 
rear vault. 

2. Front vault over both bars (grip divided). 

3. Grip right on far and left on near bar, rear 

vault mount right (i. e., toward the left) to 

a) oblique seat on near bar; rear vault 

dismount ; 

b) straddle seat; rear vault dismount. 

4. Rear vault over both bars. 

5. Flank vault left over both bars with same grip. 
Preparatory exercises on horizontal bar and 

side horses : flank, front and rear vault. Pro- 
gression by raising bar. 

XVIII. 

Topic : Single leg-swing sideward under same 
hand to a stand from support on end facing 
inward and preceded by seats. 

1. Review: Scissors backward and forward to 

straddle seats and front and rear vault dis- 
mounts. 

2. Review : End, facing inward ; leg-swing under 
one hand to rear vault over other bar. 

3. End, facing inward; jump to momentary bal- 

ance support and single leg-swing sideward 
under hand to stand (slow at first). 



78 GRADED LESSONS 

Emphasize : straight leg, thrust from bar, move 
trunk backward, leg-swing sideward, not 
backward, timely lifting and regrasping. 
Preparatory: leg-swing on side horse. 
4. As 3, from following seats in front of hand 
opposite to leg-swing: 

a) inner cross seat; 

b) riding seat; 

c) outer cross and oblique seat. 

A fundamental exercise is preceded by simple 
introductory exercises. 

XIX. 

1. End: (a) Leg-swing inward to support and to 

rear vault, (b) Leg-swing outward and back- 
ward to stand from seats. (Review.) 

2. End, rearways : Flank, front and straddle 

vaults to stand. (Review.) 

3. Swing-stem (rise) forward and backward from 

forearm support and front and rear vault. 
(Review.) 

4. Dip-swing forward six times. (Review.) 

5. Scissor-swingup to a straddle seat and support- 

lying. (Review.) 
Emphasize form in all reviews. 

XX. (side parallel bars.) 

1. Review: Flank, front and rear vaults over both 

bars from run and stand for strength and 
form. Progression by raising bars. 

2. Hip-swingup from side stand frontways. (Re- 

view.) 

3. Straddle-swingup from cross stand rearways. 

(Review.) 



BUCK AND LONG HORSE 79 

4. As 2, then single and alternate leg-swing 

a) to straddle seat; 

b) between bars with turns to outer cross 

or oblique seat. 
Emphasize form. 

Buck and Long Horse. 

I. (buck, side.) 

Topic : Various mounts ; straddle vault. 

1. Front vault mount to riding-seat and dismount. 

2. As 1, but }4 turn (in all) to side stride-seat. 

Repeat frequently for strength and form. 

3. Flank vault mount — jump off forward. 

4. Rear vault mount and dismount. Preceded by 

leg-swing under opposite hand to seat. 

5. ■ Free support with side straddling. 

6. Straddle vault. Repeat in rapid succession for 

strength, slower for form. Emphasize: 
straight legs, thrust from hands, and 
straightening of hips (not too forcibly). 

7. Straddle vault from support. 

8. Repeat 1-4 preceded by single and double knee- 

mount and intermediate jump. 
Note: Difficult exercises not mastered in a les- 
son should be reviewed at a future time. 

II. (long horse.) 

Topic: Seats and supports on long horse. 

1. Free support. Repeat in rapid succession again 

and again for strength and form. 

2. Jump to cross-seat left (right) on right side of 

horse. 



80 GRADED LESSONS 

3. Jump to cross-support sideways left (right). 

4. Jump to side-support frontways, rearways. 

5. Straddle vault mount and front and rear vault 

dismount. 

6. Straddle vault mount; % turn; leg-swing for- 

ward to support rearways ; jump-off forward. 
Emphasis to be placed on correct seats. 

7. Jump to squat-stand left, right, both; jump off 

backward. 

III. (buck, long.) 
Topic: Development of straddle vault over 
long buck; straddle vault with *4 anc * T /2 
turns before alighting. 

1. Jump to riding-seat, swing to support-lying, 

straddle vault. 

2. Jump to riding-seat, straddle vault. 

Preparatory: raise to balance-support sev- 
eral times from riding seat. 
Emphasize : grip on far end, vigorous thrust 
against buck, leg-swing forward. 

3. Jump to support-lying, straddle vault. 

4. Straddle vault over long buck. Repeat fre- 

quently in rapid succession for strength ; later 

for form. 
Preparatory exercise (1-3) for the straddle 

vault over long buck. 
Emphasize: correct grips; i. e., on far end of 

buck; assistance by standing close to buck 

with one (right) leg forward. 

5. Straddle vault with ^ and y 2 turns before 

alighting. 



BUCK AND LONG HORSE 81 

IV. (LONG HORSE.) 

Topic : Development of front vault from oblique 
run over long horse with support on neck; 
from straight run with support on croup. 
(Preparatory exercises.) 

1. Oblique run, grip on neck and front vault mount 

to 

a) riding-seat; 

b) support-lying; front vault dismount. 

2. As 1, but front vault. 

Emphasize: straight arms, straight hips, body 

arched. 
Repeat frequently in rapid succession for 

strength and later for form. 

3. As 2, with y^ turn toward apparatus. 

Preparatory exercises (1 a and b) for front 
vault from oblique run, long horse. 

4. Straight run and jump to side-support front- 

ways on left side. 

5. As 4, with : 

a) leg-swing left sideward on horse ; 

b) leg-swing left sideward over horse to 

stride-seat ; 

c) leg-swing left sideward over horse with 
i turn right to riding-seat, front 

vault dismount. 

6. As 5c, but both legs to support-lying frontways. 
These latter exercises (5 a-3 and 6) are to be 

repeated at a future time in preparation for 
the front vault. 



82 GRADED LESSONS 

V. (long buck.) 

Topic : Straddle vault for height and distance. 

1. Straddle vault for distance. (Move take-off 

backward.) 

2. Straddle vault for height. (Raise the buck 

after each vault.) 

3. Review (from long- horse) : Jump to side-sup- 

port frontways and immediately swing both 
legs sideward with % turn to 

a) cross support-lying frontways; 

b) front vault. (Aim.) 

Prepared on long horse by first swinging single 
leg (a) on horse; (b) over horse; (c) over 
horse with % turn. 

Repeat No. 3 frequently for form; emphasize 
form in straddle vault for distance and height. 

VI. (long horse.) 

Topic : Development of scissors. 

1. Riding-seat, support-lying, scissors backward; 

front vault dismount. 

2. Riding-seat, scissors backward, front vault dis- 

mount. (Aim.) 

3. Riding-seat, scissors forward, rear vault dis- 

mount. (Aim.) 
If necessary, scissors may be prepared by %■ 
and then }4 turn, first from support-lying, 
then riding-seat; leg-swing backward with 
closing to free support should be demanded'. 



BUCK AND LONG HORSE 83 

4. Riding seat : 

a) in saddle (middle) ; 

b) on neck (far end) ; 

c) on neck with moving take-off back- 

ward and add scissors forward and 
backward. 

5. Review front vault from oblique run. 

6. Review leg-swing with ]/ 2 turn to riding-seat 

from jump. 

VII. (long horse.) 

Topic: Development of fencers' rear vault. 

1. With oblique run from left side and take-off 

left, jump to oblique seat on left side. 

2. As 1, to closed cross-seat. 

3. As 2, to riding-seat. 

4. As 2, to oblique seat on right side. 

5. Fencers' rear vault right. (Aim.) 
Exercises 1 to 4 are preparatory. 

Emphasize straight and closed legs. 
Repeat frequently in rapid succession for 
strength and skill and later for form. 

6. Front vault from oblique run, grip on neck; 

add 34 and ^ turns outward; i. e., away 
from the apparatus. 

VIII. (side buck.) 

1. Knee-mount single and double jointed by inter- 

mediate jump. 

2. Knee-mount left; linked changing. 

3. Knee- jump forward (care), knees well for- 

ward. 

4. Knee- jump forward with % and ^2 turns. 

(Aim.) 



84 GRADED LESSONS 

5. Sheep- vault. (Aim.) 

Exercises 1 to 5 are prepared on side horse. 
(See lesson V, side horse.) 
Long. 

6. Jump with %. turn and repeat 3 and 4. 

7. Knee-stand, knee-jump to stand on buck. 

8. Review straddle vault for distance. 

IX. (long horse.) 
Topic: Long vault to support-lying; fencer's 
flank and front vault. 

1. Long vault with hand- jump from croup to neck, 

to support-lying frontways ; straddle vault. 

2. As 1, with grip on neck immediately. 

Repeat 1 and 2 frequently to acquire strength 
and good form. Emphasize the high vault, 
similar to a dive. 

3. Fencer's rear vault (review). 

4. Fencer's flank vault left and 34 turn right. 

5. Fencer's front vault left and y 2 turn right. 
The foot opposite to the one used in the rear 

vault takes off. 

Emphasize vigorous swing of the free leg and 
arm. 

Exercises 4 and 5 may first be executed to side 
support-lying sideways and cross support- 
lying frontways respectively as preparatory. 

X. (buck.) 
Topic : Straddle vault for distance over a con- 
stantly moved rope on floor; straddle, to 
squat vault on long buck. 
Long buck, shoulder high. 



BUCK AND LONG HORSE 85 

1. Straddle vault over low rope for distance. The 

rope should be moved after each vault. 

2. Straddle vault to stand on buck. Repeat fre- 

quently in rapid succession. 

3. Straddle-squat vault (cat-jump) over buck. 

Repeat frequently. 

4. Review straddle vaults with % and % turns 

before alighting. 

5. Review the knee- jump (single and double) 

forward. 

6. Review front vault by swing along side of buck 

with % turn to the vault. 

XI. (long horse.) 

Topic : Development of rear vault from cross- 
stand. 
JL. Double take-off and jump to oblique seat on 
left side; jump off left sideward (right hand 
grasps forward). In coming to the seat the 
the left hand is lifted and replaced behind 
the body. 

2. As 1, to closed cross-seat. 

3. As 1, over horse (rear vault mount right) to 

oblique seat on right side. 

4. Rear vault right from cross-stand over long 

horse. The left hand is lifted and replaced, 
as begun in exercise 1, and the weight is on 
both, on right, on left hand as the vault is 
completed. 
Emphasize vigorous swing of straight legs. 

5. Review front vault from oblique run with y 2 

turn outward, grip on neck. 

6. Review fencer's rear, flank and front vault. 



86. - GRADED LESSONS 

XII. (BUCK.) 

Topic : Play forms of the straddle vault. 
Side buck: Raise the buck gradually to suit exer- 
cises (progression). 

1. Straddle vault to support rearways. Repeat 

frequently. 

2. Straddle vault, clapping hands, 

a) after supporting; 

b) before supporting; 

c) both before and after supporting. 

3. Straddle vault, support of one hand. 

4. Straddle vault over oblique buck. 

5. Straddle vault over side buck, but support on 

shoulder of gymnast standing in rear of buck. 

XIII. (long horse.) 

Topic : Rear vault over long horse with % and 
y 2 turns inward ; rear vault over long horse 
with % turn and add other exercises. 

1. Rear vault. (Review.) 

2. Rear vault with %. turn toward apparatus. 

3. Rear vault with ]/ 2 turn toward apparatus. 

(Turn-rear vault.) 

4. As 2, then knee-mount and knee-jump. 

5. As 2, then leg-swing mount, scissors, front 

vault dismount. 

6. As 2, then front vault mount, scissors, front 

vault dismount. 

7. As 2, then rear vault mount, scissors, front 

vault dismount. 

8. Review long vault, support on neck, to support- 

lying. 



BUCK AND LONG HORSE 87 

9. As 2, then flank, front and rear vault (if time 
permits). 
Emphasize high swinging of extended legs in 
the rear vault. 

XIV. (side buck.) 
Topic : Development of squat vault over side 
buck. 

1. Double squat stand, jump off backward. 

2. Single squat stand, jump off backward. 

3. Single squat stand, simultaneous changing three 

times. 

4. Squat mount to straight stand; jump off for- 

ward. 

5. As 4, without perceptible pause and jump off 

forward (with Y^ and y 2 turns). 

6. Squat vault. 

Emphasize forceful thrust from hands against 

the buck. 
Repeat frequently in rapid succession for 

strength, and later for form. 

7. Review, flank, front, rear vault. 

XV. (long horse.) 
Topic: Preparatory exercises for straddle 
vault from stand on croup. 

1. Double squat-stand; jump off backward. 

2. Double squat-mount to straight stand ; sink to 

riding seat, front vault dismount. 

3. As 2, but fall to support-lying, straddle vault. 

4. As 1, then straighten to support-lying and im- 

mediately straddle vault. Repeat frequently. 
Emphasize form. 



55 GRADED LESSONS 

5. Squat mount to straight stand; straddle vault, 

support on neck. 

6. As 5, but straddle vault with support on shoul- 

ders of pupil sitting on neck. Repeat fre- 
quently. Emphasize form. 

XVI. (buck, side.) 
Topic: Progression of the squat vault. 
.1. Double squat stand; jump off forward. 

2. Single squat mount to straight stand with free 

leg raised backward and leg-swing jump for- 
ward. 

3. Double squat mount with quarter-turn to 

straight stand and jump off sideward. 

4. Squat vault. 

5. Squat vault, moving take-off backward, moder- 

ate distance. Assistance for each new dis- 
tance. 

6. Squat vault for height. (Progression.) 

Raise the buck after each jump. The straddle, 
flank, front and rear vault may also be taken 
over each height. 

XVII. (long horse.) 

1. Review long vault to support lying; straddle 

vault. 

2. As 1, add quarter and half turns to straddle 

vault. 

3. Review rear vault with quarter turn and add 

a) Single squat stand ) jump-off 

b) Double squat stand j forward; 

c) Leg-swing from under left and right 

hand to support rearways. 



RINGS 89 

.4. Stand on croup, straddle vault over pupil sit- 
ting on neck. (Review.) 

XVIII. (buck, long.) 

1. Jump with quarter turn and front vault. 

2. Straddle vault, support one hand (left, right). 

3. Straddle vault with half turns before alighting. 

4. Straddle vault, support on shoulders of pupil 

standing in rear of buck. 
Side. 

5. Knee-jump with half turn. 

6. Sheep vault. 

7. Squat vault. 

XIX. (long horse.) 

1. Fencer's rear, flank and front vault. 

2. Front vault from oblique run, support on neck. 

3. Rear vault with half turn. 

4. Long vault to support-lying ; straddle vault. 

5. Stand on croup, straddle vault over neck. 

XX. 

Review, with buck and horse raised. 

Rings. 

Exercises for some of the following abbreviated 
topics may be found under similar topics of the 
horizontal bar. 
/. Exercises in the bent and straight hang. 

1. Straight hang: arm bending; with leg 

exercises. 

2. Bent hang, followed by a) single arm 

straightening forward, sideward " 1 
upward; b) leg exercises. 



90 GRADED LESSONS 

3. The short swing fore-backward and 
sideward and the circle-swing of the 
legs in the straight and bent hang. 
II. Turnover backward to various nest-hangs, 
knee-hangs and inverted hangs. Leg- 
swing over same hand with releasing and 
regrasping. 

1. Single and double nest-hang on strap 

and later on rings. 

2. Inner single and double knee-hang over 

same and opposite hand. 

3. Turnover backward to inverted squat-, 

inverted balance-, inverted hang and 
hang rearways, and return. 

4. Single leg-swing over same hand and 

release and regrasp. 
777. Turnover forward to various positions and to 

leg-swing over hand with releasing and 

regrasping. 

Whole turnover forward, from stand to 
stand, to hang, to hand-knee-hang, to 
leg-swing over hand (regrasp). 

IV. Arm and leg exercises in support. 

1. Jump to straight and bent support. 

2. Leg exercises in and with assuming 

support. 

3. Arm bending and straightening in sup- 

port. 

V. Knee- and hip swingup. 

1. Knee-swingup forward on one ring. 

2. Hip-swingup by placing hands under 

hips. The rings are grasped above, 
close to the ropes. 



RINGS 91 

VI. Repeat II from the short swing in the bent 

hang. 

VII. The pendulum swing. Arm and leg exercises 

and positions in it. 

1. Straight hang pendulum swing. Jump 

off at either end. 

2. Pendulum swing: Bent arms at end 

and during (a) the forward, 
(b) the backward swing. 

3. As 2 with leg exercises and positions. 

4. With straightening one arm. 

VIII. Turns in the pendulum swing. 

1. Half turns at either end of every sec- 

ond swing. 

2. As 1, but at end of every swing. 

3. As 1 and 2, but whole turns. 

IX. Turnover backward in pendulum swing to the 

various nest- and knee-hangs given under 
II. Lower to stand after several swings. 

X. The pendulum swing and turnover backzvard. 

Pendulum swing: Turnover backward to 
inverted squat-, inverted balance-, in- 
verted hang, nest-hang and hang 
rear ways. 

XI. Leg-swing over hand and inverted balance- 

hang in pendulum swing. 
1. Pendulum swing: Leg-swing over 
same hand at end of either swing. 
(Release and regrasp.) 



92 GRADED LESSONS 

2. Pendulum swing: Turnover backward 

to inverted balance-hang with for- 
ward, and return with backward 
swing. 

3. The same vice versa. 

XII. Support in the pendulum swing. Pendulum 
■vault. 

1. Jump to straight and bent support with 

the pendulum swing. (Rings shoul- 
der high.) 

2. Arm straightening from the bent sup- 

port. 

3. Pendulum vault for height. 



92 



X 



